Structure

Bodymedium
Tanninmedium
Aciditymedium
Sweetnessdry
Finishmedium
Oaknew oak

Drinking window

Latest scored vintage 2019: best 2023 to 2034.
vintage4 yrs15 yrs17 yrs

Critic scores

CriticVintageScore
Wine Advocate reviewed 2022201992/100

Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedMedium tanninMedium acidityDryMedium finish

Aroma: ripe plum, black cherry, violet, light cedar

Palate: supple berry fruit, accessible tannins, fresh acidity, charming Merlot-dominant texture

The official second wine of Léoville-Las Cases since 2007, Merlot-dominant for earlier accessibility while retaining the Saint-Julien precision of the parent estate.

What it pairs with

  • Roast chicken with herb butter
    Merlot-driven softness and ripe fruit pair elegantly with the mild richness of herb-roasted chicken.
  • Lamb kofta with herb yogurt
    Spiced ground lamb finds a complementary partner in the wine's violet florality and soft tannins.
  • Charcuterie and pâté board
    The wine's supple fruit and gentle grip pair versatilely with a range of cured meats and liver pâtés.

How to serve Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Roast chicken with herb butter, Lamb kofta with herb yogurt, Charcuterie and pâté board. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Created in 2007 as the official second wine of Léoville-Las Cases to clarify the status of Clos du Marquis as its own distinct cuvée. The higher Merlot content ensures approachability in youth while maintaining the estate's signature precision.

  1. 2007: First vintage of Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases as the estate's official second wine

Facts

Producer
Château Léoville-Las Cases · visiting guide
Grapes
Merlot (62%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Cabernet Franc (4%)
Classification
Saint-Julien AOC
Oak
French oak barrels, proportion new oak lower than grand vin
ABV
13.2%
Price
€40-65 at retail
Drinking window
4-15 from vintage
First vintage
2007

Frequently asked about Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases

What does Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases taste like?

On the nose, ripe plum, black cherry, violet, light cedar. On the palate, supple berry fruit, accessible tannins, fresh acidity, charming Merlot-dominant texture. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, medium acidity with a medium finish. The official second wine of Léoville-Las Cases since 2007, Merlot-dominant for earlier accessibility while retaining the Saint-Julien precision of the parent estate.

When should I drink Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases?

Drink 4-15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases?

Roast chicken with herb butter is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Lamb kofta with herb yogurt and Charcuterie and pâté board. Merlot-driven softness and ripe fruit pair elegantly with the mild richness of herb-roasted chicken.

What grapes are in Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases?

The blend is Merlot (62%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Cabernet Franc (4%). The wine is classified as Saint-Julien AOC.

Tags

cabernet franc cabernet sauvignon dry medium acid medium body medium tannin medium term merlot mood easygoing mood elegant occasion dinner party occasion weeknight old world pairs with charcuterie pairs with pork pairs with poultry pairs with red meat price premium still red value pick

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