- Colour Red
- Producer Château Cheval Blanc
- Region St Emilion
- Drinking 2026 - 2038
- Case size 6x75cl
- Available En Primeur
2021 - Le Petit Cheval St Emilion - 6x75cl
- Colour Red
- Producer Château Cheval Blanc
- Region St Emilion
- Drinking 2026 - 2038
- Case size 6x75cl
- Available En Primeur
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Goedhuis, April 2022, Score: 94-96
70% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromatic sloes and dark cherry demonstrate the striking harmony and generosity of Le Petit Cheval’s Merlot. An elegant first impression quietly gives way to Cabernet energy and drive. Finely balanced, the long finish leaves you assured of the superb pedigree of this wine. Lovely.
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Neal Martin, April 2022, Score: 90-92
The 2021 Le Petit Cheval, which, according to Pierre Lurton, contains more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, has attractive iris flower and incense aromas on the nose, along with plenty of dark berry fruit and just a touch of crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit on the entry, that Cabernet imparting a Médoc-like structure, and a strict, saline finish. I can see this aging well in bottle while waiting for the Grand Vin to reach its drinking plateau. Drink 2025 - 2038
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Antonio Galloni, April 2022, Score: 92-94
The 2021 Le Petit Cheval is fabulous. A parcel of Cabernet Sauvignon typically used for the Grand Vin gives the 2021 its core of dark fruit. Heady and explosive in the glass, the 2021 offers up a spellbinding array of dark fruit rose petal, mocha, incense and licorice. All the elements meld together so effortlessly. The 2021 is a dazzling Petit Cheval. That's all there is to it. Drink 2029-2041
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Wine Advocate, April 2022, Score: 89-91
Representing 13% of the estate's production (a further 18% was sold off in bulk), the 2021 Le Petit Cheval exhibits aromas of cherries, sweet berries, loamy soil, tobacco leaf and spices. Medium to full-bodied, lively and nicely concentrated, with powdery tannins and a saline finish, it's a blend of 60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc.
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Wine Cellar Insider, April 2022, Score: 91-93
This is a true baby Cheval Blanc, The reason is simple. Some of the Cabernet Sauvignon lots placed in Cheval Blanc in 2018, 2019 and 2020 were included in this wine. The wine kicks off with flowers, espresso, chocolate, red plums and spice. But it is on the palate, which is slightly similar to Cheval Blanc where the wine shows its character. Supple, and fresh, the wine finishes with loads of silky-textured, sweet fruits. The wine blends 60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc, making this the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever used in the history of the estate. 13.1% ABV. Drink from 2022-2035.
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Jane Anson, April 2022, Score: 91
An unusual blend for Petit Cheval this year because so much of the Cabernet Franc was saved for the first wine. Deep purple in colour, plenty of violet reflections. On the aromatics you get pencil lead, peony, rose petal, followed up by cassis notes and scraping graphite-textured tannins. This is one where you can clearly see the similarity with vintages like 2014 and 2008, clearly has the legs to age beautifully and shows skilful winemaking from Pierre-Olivier Clouet. 3.6ph, 13% of overall production. Not impacted by frost, but mildew on the Merlot grapes brought the yield down to 28hl/h yield.
Producer
Château Cheval Blanc
Several years ago, 10 of the world's top wine specialists were asked if they could own a wine estate, which one would it be. At least 5 of them said Château Cheval Blanc. Indeed, this château is like no other. Wonderfully silky and smooth yet powerful, Cheval Blanc is often approachable when young yet has the capacity to age for many years. Its unusually high proportion of Cabernet Franc (usually 50% or more) accompanied by...Read more
Several years ago, 10 of the world's top wine specialists were asked if they could own a wine estate, which one would it be. At least 5 of them said Château Cheval Blanc. Indeed, this château is like no other. Wonderfully silky and smooth yet powerful, Cheval Blanc is often approachable when young yet has the capacity to age for many years. Its unusually high proportion of Cabernet Franc (usually 50% or more) accompanied by Merlot has undoubtedly contributed to its allure.Read less
Region
St Emilion
South of Pomerol lies the medieval, perched village of St Emilion. Surrounding St Emilion are vines that produce round, rich and often hedonistic wines. Despite a myriad of soil types, two main ones dominate - the gravelly, limestone slopes that delve down to the valley from the plateau and the valley itself which is comprised of limestone, gravel, clay and sand. Despite St Emilion's popularity today, it was not until the 1980s to early 1990s that attention was brought to this region. Robert Parker, the famous wine critic, began reviewing their Merlot-dominated wines and giving them hefty scores. The rest is history as they say. Similar to the Médoc, there is a classification system in place which dates from 1955 and outlines several levels of quality. These include its regional appellation of St Emilion, St Emilion Grand Cru, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé and St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, which is further divided into "A" (Ausone and Cheval Blanc) and "B" (including Angélus, Canon, Figeac and a handful of others). To ensure better accuracy, the classification is redone every 10 years enabling certain châteaux to be upgraded or downgraded depending on on the quality of their more recent vintages.
