Inky plum colour, this has edges of drying tannins but this is a powerful wine, a ton of intensity, iodine and oyster shell concentration, and tannic heft. A great En Primeur sample that has that sappy, astringent character that gives such confidence for its ageing potential. Impressive second wine. 39 hl/ha yield, 39% new oak. Harvest September 8 to 30. 92 points

The 2022 Le Petit Lion now includes the best parcels of the second wine of Clos du Marquis. Dark berry fruit, black olive compote and a light estuarine scent on the nose. It is quite powerful and well-defined, one can admire the focus. The palate is medium-bodied with rather chalky tannins on the entry. Firm in structure and saline, there is just a touch of abruptness on the chewy finish that should fill out during its barrel maturation. 90-92 points

The 2022 Petit Lion is rich and sumptuous, but much more than that in terms of its complexity and distinction. Dramatic and sweeping, the 2022 is immediately captivating. Black cherry, gravel, scorched earth, licorice and lavender infuse the 2022 with tons of nuance. In this tasting, the Petit Lion is absolutely compelling. There’s terrific depth and density here, likely because of the high percentage of Merlot. What a gorgeous wine it is. 92-94 points