2021 Le Petit Lion - Zweitwein Chateau Leoville Las Cases - St. Julien AC

Decanter.com – 91 pts – GH: *Plush and vibrant, the fruit here is lively and zippy, it has real energy on the palate while having a bitterness and a salinity to the tannins that are grippy and mouthfilling. The whole palate is full of minty freshness giving this life and an aerial feel while the darker more savoury elements settle on the tongue and long finish. It's a little tight right now but shows refined and elegant winemaking. I like it's roguish charm with power and intention. Ageing in 40% new barrels. 3.54pH.* - 04/2022

Falstaff Magazin – 91 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zarte Kräuterwürze, schwarze Beeren, dunkle Kirschen, zart nach Nougat. Straff, engmaschig, rotbeerig, reife Tannine, mineralisch und zugänglich, Brombeeren im Nachhall.* - 05/2022

WeinWisser – 17/20pts – GL, TW: *25 % neue Barriques. Im verspielten Bouquet, Schattenmorellensaft, zarte Rauchnote von der Barrique, heller Tabak und Veilchen. Am eleganten Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, mit sapidem Extrakt, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und kompaktem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale schwarzbeerige Konturen, helles Graphit und fein mürbe Adstringenz.* – 04/2022

JancisRobinson.com – 16+/20pts – JL: *57% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Firm but fleshy with red- and dark-fruit notes. Broad but less focused across the palate then tightens on the finish, the tannins silky and fine. Slightly wayward – needs time to settle.* - 04/2022

Vinous.com – 92 pts – AG: *The 2021 Le Petit Lion has a very attractive bouquet that, compared to the preceding Potensac, has much more vigor and clarity: blackberry, raspberry, crushed rock and light graphite aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth texture, black olive and mulberry combining nicely toward a sapid finish that just needs a bit more refinement. A little chewy in texture, it could use another two years in bottle.* - 12/2023

Vinous.com – 90 pts – NM: *The 2021 Le Petit Lion has a very attractive bouquet that, compared to the preceding Potensac, has much more vigor and clarity: blackberry, raspberry, crushed rock and light graphite aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth texture, black olive and mulberry combining nicely toward a sapid finish that just needs a bit more refinement. A little chewy in texture, it could use another two years in bottle.* - 11/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (89-91) pts – JL: *Flowers, cedar, cigar box and tobacco leaf add to the bright, cranberries, orange and red currants in the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, crisp and with a fresh, sweet and tart, crunchy finish. The wine is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, 13.27% ABV. Drink from 2025-2037.* - 05/2022