Petit Lion - Saint-Julien 2022

Alexandre Ma

93

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

Le Petit Lion 2022 boasts a remarkably solid structure, with tannins that are even more robust than I expected. Aromas of mulberries and blueberries stride forward confidently, followed closely by the refreshing scents of rosemary and tea stems. During the En Primeur tasting, I remarked that this vintage was not the kind of “Little Lion” that could be easily approached in its youth, requiring 5–8 years of aging to truly shine. To my surprise and delight, however, it greeted me warmly just after bottling. In terms of quality, the 2022 Petit Lion could rival the Grand Vin of certain vintages.

Wine Advocate

90

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

The 2022 Le Petit Lion has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of cassis and plums mingled with hints of mint, violets and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, it's dense and concentrated, with a bright core of fruit and a penetrating finish.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Smudged crayon, lovely deep dark fruit, there are firm tannins here that give shape and form to the wine, waves of dark pepper spice, great quaity, edges of floral aromatics as it opens, raspberry bud, the floral aspect to the nose appears as it opens up, has a lot of restrained power, chalky textire, opens up beautifull. 39% new oak for ageing. First vintage when the 2nd selection of Clos du Marquis is also included in le Petit Lion.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases, Le

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

The second wine of Château Léoville Las Cases, the 2022 Le Petit Lion is medium to full-bodied, featuring cassis, graphite, crushed stone, scorched earth, and violets. Nicely integrated oak and fine tannins add to its polished balance. Aged in oak barrels, it’s a stunning second wine that should drink well for 15+ years.

Yvesbeck.wine

95

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

55.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38.5% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc Le Petit Lion surprend par son côté invitant, par cette priorité donnée aux baies noires mûres, tout en soulignant ses ambitions de précisions et de détails. Je relève également sa droiture, son caractère linéaire en bouche qui ouvre la voie à un vin puissant dont les ardeurs sont modérées par des tannins suaves et emballants. Un vin imposant, conciliant, annonciateur d'ampleur et de vigueur avec des petits coups de griffes dignes d'un lionceau ! 2028-2043 95/100

Vinous

91

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Le Petit Lion has a classy bouquet, perhaps one of the best that I have tasted to date: beautifully defined black fruit, black olive, hints of cedar, juniper and wilted violets. It just blossoms in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a degree of salinity and more weight than expected, although it just loses a little delineation toward the finish. Nevertheless, it is a quite delicious Deuxième Vin, albeit one that requires two or three years in bottle.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Minerality is the word here. Crunchy and al dente, this has firm, juicy blue fruit and tannins on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Everything in its place. 55.5% cabernet sauvignon, 38.5% merlot and 6% cabernet franc. Give it two more years to let the complexity unwind, and it will become even longer in two to three years. Drink from 2028.

Vinous

92

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Le Petit Lion is silky, open-knit and quite gracious, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking over the next decade or so. Floral and spice notes meld into a core of blue/purplish fruit. Le Petit Lion is impeccably balanced throughout.

Wine Spectator

94

byJames Molesworththe1/22/2025

Ripe and well-defined, this ripples with energy in the form of iron streaks that help carry the core of blackberry, black currant and boysenberry reduction flavors. Mouthwatering anise and iris notes bloom through the finish, along with a flash of ink. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2038.

Decanter.com

94

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Fragranced and scented, so appealing, rich, vibrant, alive on the nose, black and blue fruits with purple flowers. Juicy and alive in the mouth, straight away the acidity makes the mark, clean and clear, with bite and tang, so thrilling, energetic and racy but then the tannins come in, slightly chalky, grippy and firm giving the texture - serious but with a touch of sweetness that gives a playful aspect. Well constructed, precise but weighty, intense and concentrated. A great wine that gives depth, complexity and persistence but with such great drinkability - and grand vin quality.

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

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.

matthewjukes.com

17

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

87-89

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

A blend of 55.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38.5% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc, Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases 2022 was the only second wine made by the estate this year, as the Petite Marquise of Clos du Marquis was also declassified into this cuvee. It is deep garnet-purple in color and leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of dried cherries, raspberry coulis, and kirsch, plus hints of prunes, cinnamon toast, and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is so, so fruity with bags of red berry layers and a soft texture, finishing with a cheery lift.

Yvesbeck.wine

92-94

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Le bouquet du Petit Lion se révèle avec subtilité, mai sil ne manque pas d'afficher du charme également. Ceci est d'ailleurs bien relayé par le palais qui affiche d'entrée un caractère gourmand. Le muscle ne manque pas, la puissance non plus, mais dans une mesure moins soulignée qu'à l'accoutumé, avec une bonne symbiose entre rondeur, ampleur et tension. Un vin de caractère qui annonce bien la couleur et que l'on pourra déjà apprécier jeune… mais sans se presser !

Jeb DUNNUCK

91-93

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

The 2022 Le Petit Lion is the second wine of both Clos du Marquis and Léoville Las Cases. Based on 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, it's a full-bodied, ripe, concentrated second wine revealing a fleshy, round, expansive mouthfeel, classic aromatics of cassis, violets, blueberries, and tobacco, present tannins, and outstanding length. The tannin quality is clearly a step back from the Grand Vin, but this has ample mid-palate depth and tons of character.

Vinous

92-94

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

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. Drinking window : 2025-2037

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

With a black currant based core of fruit, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh, easy to like, and is ready to displays its layers of cassis, black cherries, smoke, herbs, and cedar. This is a good example of a baby Leoville Las Cases. The wine blends 55.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38.5% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. 14.04% ABV. Drink from 2026-2038.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

A juicy and layered red with blackberry and black cherry character. Full and rich. Crunchy. Fine texture, but lots of tannins. 55.5% cabernet sauvignon, 38.5% merlot and 6% cabernet franc.