Chateau Leoville Las Cases Le Petit Lion 2009

Château Léoville las Cases produces their famous Grand Vin de Léoville but also the Clos du Marquis and Le Petit Lion. The Petit Lion shares the philosophy of its elder brother; it is vinified and aged in order to preserve its fresh and ripe fruit flavor throughout its life. However designed as a second wine, Le Petit Lion is more accessible and for earlier drinking with a significant proportion of Merlot used in the blend. The 2009 is composed of 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Sauvignon. Look for a luscious, upfront style with notes of blackberries, black raspberries, sweet tobacco, earthiness and more.

'If a single wine estate in Bordeaux today were to be promoted to the rank of First Growth, Léoville las Cases would be the choice of most claret connoisseurs. The 98 hectare estate is in the appellation of Saint-Julien on the border of Pauillac and abuts some of the best vineyards of its lofty neighbor Château Latour. Perhaps this is why the structured and racy wines of Las Cases so often resemble those of Latour.' James Suckling, Wine Spectator