Chateau Leoville Las Cases Le Petit Lion 2020
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Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The Petit Lion shares the philosophy of its two elder siblings; it is vinified and aged in order to preserve its fresh, ripe fruit flavors throughout its life. However, it is designed as a second wine, and is therefore made to be more accessible and for earlier drinking, with a significant proportion of Merlot used in the blend.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is very deep and rich with ripe tannins that take your down and through the palate. Full and layered. This is really plush and intense. Could be the best ever for the second wine. Goes deep.
Barrel Sample: 96-97 -
Wine Enthusiast
A dense wine that shows powerful tannins lying over the dark black fruits. Its structure is deceptively immense, layered with fine acidity at the end. Slightly medicinal on the finish. Barrel Sample: 93–95
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Le Petit Lion (the second wine of Léoville Las Cases, mainly from younger vines) is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 44% Merlot, aging in 30% new French oak barriques, weighing in with an alcohol of 13.61%, a pH of 3.69 and an IPT (tannins index) of 75. The Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested from the 17th to the 29th of September, the Merlot from the 10th to the 15th of September and the Cabernet Franc from the 15th to the 17th of September. Sporting a medium to deep purple-black color, it springs from the glass with vibrant notes of black cherries, redcurrant jelly and cassis, plus touches of lavender, fallen leaves and cinnamon stick, with a waft of black truffles. The medium-bodied palate has bright, bold black and red berry layers with a grainy texture and loads of freshness, finishing long with a spicy kick. A very impressive second wine!
Barrel Sample: 92-94 -
Jeb Dunnuck
The second wine of this great estate, the 2020 Le Petit Lion checks in as 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It has the class of the Grand Vin yet is made in a slightly softer, more forward style and offers lots of black cherry and dark currants fruits as well as notes of lead pencil, dried tobacco, and loamy earth. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it's balanced, has ripe tannins, the hallmark purity of fruit of the vintage, and a great finish. I’d be thrilled to drink a bottle any time over the coming 10-15 years or more.
Barrel Sample: 92-94 -
Decanter
Powerful and concentrated, this is just so tasty with plenty of fine grained tannins, but also the depth and width of a lovely Petit Lion. It has touches of graphite, peony and violet as it opens up and strikes the right tone between intensity and keeping the St-Julien balance. It holds the line right through the palate until those tannins become a little biting on the finish.
Barrel Sample: 93
Other Vintages
2022- Decanter
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James
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Suckling
James - Decanter
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Dunnuck
Jeb
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Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
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Spectator
Wine
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Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine -
Suckling
James
The estate stretches from Chateau Beychevelle down to Chateau Latour, and the main estate is a picturesque, enclosed 100 acre vineyard depicted on the label. The winery is established as a Second Growth. vineyard.