Le Petit Cheval 2021 - Red

Ripe-fruited, Cabernet-driven, plenty of spice, floral notes with air; a linear palate, silky tannins, remarkably fresh, with crunchy fruit and lively acidity, pleasantly long, with cassis and sour cherry on the finish.

As readers may remember, this cuvée simply represents everything that doesn't synergize with Cheval Blanc's blend, so the 2021 Le Petit Cheval is composed of some 60% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, amounting to fully half the surface planted to Cabernet Sauvignon at Cheval Blanc. Offering up aromas of dark berries, mulberries and mint framed by creamy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and polished, concluding with a long, delicately vanillin-inflected finish. Its composition means that it will reward a bit of patience.

Solidly built for the vintage, with a core of black cherry and currant fruit laced with singed tobacco, cedar and savory notes. This red's savory edge expands on the slightly taut finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2029. 1,049 cases made, 73 cases imported.

Cool, toasted aromas on the nose: liquorice, tobacco, purple flowers and cherries. Smooth and well-rounded on the palate, high in acidity which gives the initial lift before the salty minerality sets in, lending a slight wet-stone/chalky texture in the mouth. It’s really quite fruity and lifted but with a serious core, straight and well defined. Not heavy at all. A nice second wine. Detailed and very polished. Needs more time to expand as it’s still a little tight.

This is an unusually cabernet-based Petit Cheval with blackcurrant and mineral character and hints of seashell. Medium-bodied, with punchy tannins but a polished and beautiful texture. Tight at the end. Impressive and structured. It’s very St. Julien for this second wine. 60% merlot, 33% cabernet sauvignon and 7% cabernet franc. Best after 2027.

The 2021 Le Petit Cheval has retained that strict, almost Médoc-like nose brought about by the higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (33%): blackberry, briar, incense and graphite, the latter more pronounced than at en primeur. The palate is medium-bodied with a clean, precise entry, fresh acidity, refreshing sapidity, and an almost briny finish that lingers on the palate.

Elegant, silky, refined, vibrant, and almost crisp, this mini Cheval Blanc is already simply gorgeous with its bouquet of flowers, cigar box, mint, cherries, plums, and spice. The wine blends its silky-refined textures with freshness, lift, and purity in its energetic, red berry-packed finish. The wine blends 60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. The high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend defines the wine. You can enjoy this on release and for at least the next 15 years. Drink from 2024-2040.

Opaque ruby core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Black forest berries and a touch of red cherries. Medium-bodied palate with hints of nougat, blackberries, vivid tannins and a savoury finish. Will benefit from further ageing.

The second wine of this incredible château and based on 60% Merlot, 33% Sauvignon, and 7% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Château Cheval Blanc Petit Cheval reveals a deep ruby/purple hue as well as killer notes of cassis and black raspberries supported by spring flowers, wood smoke, and tobacco notes. It's one heck of a second wine offering medium to full-bodied richness, gorgeous tannins, and a great finish. It tastes like many a Grand Vin, if not better. For the tech geeks out there, it hit 13.3% alcohol, with a pH of 3.62. Give it just a few years and enjoy over the following decade.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (60% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon) Floral, silky, finely fruity bouquet, cherries, herbs, light tobacco, mint. Fine, elegant palate with fresh fruit, good tannins, silky structure, powerful, fresh aromatics, fragrant aromatics, fresh finish.

(60% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon) Floral, silky, delicately fruity bouquet, cherries, herbs, light tobacco, mint. Fine, elegant palate with fresh fruit, good tannins, silky structure, powerful, fresh aromatics, fragrant aromatics, fresh finish. 17/20 2026 - 2040

A serious Petit Cheval, with roses, chalky tannins, blackcurrant, red cherry, capsicum, graphite and smoked earth. First time to have Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend of Petit Cheval, which along with the vintage itself perhaps lends this savoury quality. The harvest was long and slow, September 22 to October 14, later than in most recent years, with a yield of 28 hl/ha.

Only 12,000 bottles were made of Le Petit Cheval 2021. It is a blend of 60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Cabernet Franc, and it has a deep garnet-purple color. It offers expressive notes of black pepper, dusty earth, and garrigue, leading to a core of red and black plums, redcurrant preserves, and tobacco leaf. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and delicately styled, with bright red berry layers and a slight chewiness to the texture, finishing with a peppery lift.

A calm, soothing nose of fine, ripe fruit with notes of dark chocolate. Exquisite freshness on the palate, like a silky wave on the beach that briefly brushes your toes before receding. An energetic wine with real fruit intensity, which gives it length. This vintage, which looked challenging at first, has nonetheless produced a wonderful second wine at Cheval Blanc.

Aged for 16 months in 100% wine barrels, Petit Cheval has gained in precision and identity. The wine reveals itself subtly through fine nuances of red berries and blackcurrant. The tannins are polished, silky, and give the wine impressive breadth. Together with the acidic structure, they provide vigor and temperament. A well-balanced Petit Cheval: linear, elegant, and fresh.

Beautiful dark color. Intense, refined nose, fruity, pure and ripe. The palate is all about tactile finesse, with brightness in the flavor and a slight restraint mid‑palate, well compensated by the lingering aroma. Lovely fresh length. Blend: 60% merlot, 33% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc.