Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases 2023 is the second wine of Château Léoville Las Cases in Saint‑Julien, and it reads like a serious, estate-driven Bordeaux rather than a simple stepping-stone bottling. The blend is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, harvested from September 9 to October 2 and aged 14 months in barrel with 30% new oak; Decanter notes a yield of 43 hl/ha.
Across reviews, the 2023 stands out for freshness and structure, with enough fruit depth to satisfy early while still pointing to short-term cellaring. James Suckling calls it “very fresh and crunchy with blackberries, dark cherries and hints of crushed stones,” adding that it’s “medium-bodied with impressive acidity and fine, silky tannins,” finishing “bright and vivid.” Antonio Galloni for Vinous also emphasizes ripeness and lift, describing “ripe dark cherry/plum fruit, mocha, spice, new leather, licorice and chocolate,” followed by “savory graphite, floral and mineral tones” on the finish; he expects it to “drink well right out of the gate.” That Vinous score (93) is an excellent review and one of the wine’s strongest published endorsements.
Other critics land in the same quality band. Jane Anson (93 points—another excellent review) highlights the feel that fans want from this label: “the tannic grip and heft,” with “spice, cocoa bean, espresso, black chocolate, black tea, and bright cassis fruit,” and she cautions it “will need a few years after bottling to fully open up.” Jeb Dunnuck rates it 92, calling it “perfumed and elegant,” with “red and blue fruits,” “good acidity,” and “outstanding length.”
Decanter (93 points—excellent) underscores polish and intent: “smooth and supple,” “clean and pure,” with “lovely finesse” and “power surges underneath the fruit,” even if it’s “a little tight and compact” today. Overall, 2023 Le Petit Lion looks like a refined, Cabernet-leaning second wine with real Saint‑Julien shape and a clear runway ahead.
