The second wine of Léoville Las Cases, the 2016 Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases includes more old vine Merlot and is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc that spent 14 months in 30% new French oak. It's a "Wow" of a second wine and has a big nose of crème de cassis, black cherries, forest floor, and tobacco, with some almost Pauillac-like lead pencil and minerality. Full-bodied, with bright acidity and remarkable purity as well as ripe tannins, it's a 30-year wine. How's that for a second wine?

This elegant wine comes from young vines in the Clos of Léoville las Cases. It has something of the same structure but with a juicy fruitiness that contrasts with the tannins and density. Drink the wine from 2023.

The 2016 Le Petit Lion is composed of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with notions of warm blackcurrants, blackberry pie, redcurrant jelly and tilled soil with touches of hoisin, Sichuan pepper, unsmoked cigars, red roses and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate explodes with vibrant red and black fruit preserves, with a wonderfully fine-grained frame and very long, lifted finish.

The 2016 Le Petit Lion is a very pretty wine, but it is also going to need a few years to come into its own, as the tannins are quite firm post-bottling. There is good energy to the red cherry fruit, spice and chalky notes, but, at the same time, Le Petit Lion is a rare second wine that is going to need a few years to come into its own. Tasted two times.

Solid, with dark plum and anise notes at the core, laced with mouthwatering briar and apple wood accents. Shows a textbook AOC profile, but not superdense, so drink as soon as this settles in while you wait for the big boys. Best from 2021 through 2030. 5,833 cases made.