2019 Petit Lion Marquis Las Cases (St-Julien)

The 2019 Le Petit Lion offers light brambly black fruit laced with browning autumn leaves and Earl Grey on the nose, which is classic in style, fresh and well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, like the Clos du Marquis, gaining some density and muscle during its élevage. Crisp and quite saline on the finish, this will deserve a little longer in bottle than I anticipated before. Very fine. 14.01% alcohol. 91 points

The grapes come from within the walled L`Enclos for this 2nd wine, and straight away you see a higher intensity and focus than with the more open Clos de Marquis. The majority Merlot gives a plump character to the ripe berry fruits but they are old vines with plenty of intensity. Great entry point to Las Cases, with lift and focus on the finish - you still get the austerity and tight tannic delivery that is part and parcel of the Las Cases experience, but there is juice and pleasure waiting here. 30% new oak. 3.55pH. 93 points

The 2019 Le Petit Lion blend this year is 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 43% Merlot, harvested from the 20th of September to the 9th of October. The alcohol weighed in at 14.01% with a pH of 3.55 and an IPT of 75. It is aging in French oak barriques, 30% new. Managing director Pierre Graffeuille informed me that this wine is mainly a blend of the younger vines of Léoville Las Cases—three- to 20-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines—with some of the old Merlot (40-70 years) from the Las Cases enclosure. "It is a great combo to add old Merlot to young Cabernet Sauvignon!" he commented.Sporting a deep purple-black color, scents of Black Forest cake, blueberry preserves and ripe, black plums come bounding out of the glass, shadowed by hints of menthol, potpourri, spice cake and clove oil plus a waft of aniseed. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with energetic, juicy black fruits, framed by amazing freshness and ripe, grainy tannins, finishing with a lively, invigorating lift. This is very different from the grand vin and yet is a wonderful alternative expression of the vineyard. For true fans of Las Cases, I would really recommend buying both this and the grand vin, because together they create an even more interesting story of the vintage at this incredible property! 92-94+ points

46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample. A real mini-Las Cases with the emphasis on structure and length on the palate. Aromatically restrained with a minerally, graphite tone. Firm and fresh with lovely fruit extraction. Plenty of reserve. Long, dry, linear finish. 17.5 points