In the glass
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.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
Scores
- Wine Advocate 92 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
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.