The 2014 Château Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases is the second wine of the prestigious Château Léoville Las Cases, a Second Growth (2ème Grand Cru Classé) estate in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux. Introduced in 2007, Le Petit Lion is crafted from younger vines (3–20 years old) of Cabernet Sauvignon and older Merlot vines (40–70 years) from the estate’s Grand Clos vineyard, a 55-hectare walled plot on gravelly-clay soils near Château Latour. The 2014 vintage displays a deep ruby color with a charming, fruit-forward bouquet of blackberry, cassis, violets, and graphite, accented by spicy and earthy notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with ripe, approachable tannins, fresh acidity, and a warm, structured profile, finishing with crisp fruit and a mineral edge. Vinification mirrors the grand vin, using temperature-controlled wood, concrete, and stainless steel vats, with 10–30% new French oak aging for 10–12 months, ensuring elegance and balance.

Food Pairings

The 2014 Le Petit Lion’s balanced structure and vibrant fruit make it versatile for pairing:

• Red Meat: Grilled sirloin, roasted lamb shank, or beef Wellington, complementing the wine’s tannins and fruit.

• Poultry: Duck confit or roasted quail, matching the wine’s earthy and berry notes.

• Vegetarian: Grilled portobello mushrooms or eggplant parmesan, echoing the wine’s mineral and spice elements.

• Cheeses: Semi-soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert, balancing the wine’s acidity.

• Sauces: Dishes with red wine or balsamic reductions, enhancing the wine’s cassis and graphite flavors. Decant for 1–2 hours and serve at 16–18°C (60–65°F) to highlight its aromas.

Critics’ Reviews

The 2014 Le Petit Lion has been well-received for its charm and accessibility, reflecting the quality of its parent estate:

• Wine Enthusiast (Roger Voss): “Young Cabernet Sauvignon vines are blended with older Merlot in this second wine of Léoville Las Cases. That gives a wine which is warm, ripe, and structured. It does have concentration while also having great freshness and a crisp aftertaste. Drink from 2022.” Score: 90 (March 2017).

• Decanter: “57% old-vine Merlot gives this wine good floral fruit and lengthy, firm finish.” Score: 89 (April 2015).

• Figaro Vin: “A Petit Lion charmeur, épicé, racoleur, suave, constructed with a very beautiful Merlot issued from the clos. 57% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc.” Score: Not specified (2015).

• CellarTracker Community: Average of 90.2 points from 12 reviews, with notes of “ripe black cherry, cassis, and spice, with a fresh, elegant finish” and “surprisingly approachable for a young Saint-Julien.” Critics note its Merlot-driven softness compared to the Cabernet-heavy grand vin, making it an earlier-drinking option.

Drink Window

The 2014 Le Petit Lion is approachable now but will evolve further:

• Optimal Drinking: 2020–2030. It’s drinking well with decanting, showing ripe fruit and soft tannins.

• Peak Maturity: 2023–2028, when tertiary notes (tobacco, leather) emerge.

• Cellaring Potential: Can age until 2030–2035 in proper conditions (cool, dark, stable).

Additional Notes

• Vintage Context: 2014 was a strong Saint-Julien vintage, with a cool summer and warm September producing fresh, structured wines ideal for medium-term aging. Le Petit Lion benefits from the same meticulous care as the grand vin, including hand-harvesting and parcel-specific vinification.

• Winemaking: Managed by the Delon family, Léoville Las Cases uses traditional methods, with low-temperature fermentation to retain aromatics and minimal new oak (10–30%) for Le Petit Lion to emphasize fruit. The 2014 blend leverages old-vine Merlot for richness, distinguishing it from the Cabernet-driven Clos du Marquis.