Le Petit Cheval, Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2019
The first nose is notably marked by the Cabernet Franc. Very fresh, precise with lovely spicy notes and black pepper, floral hints and the liquorice notes which are characteristic of the Cabernet Francs of this property. This wine is almost more stylistic of a Cabernet Franc than Cheval Blanc itself. It has lovely juicy red fruits and a delicate attack followed by impressive power. The quality of the tannins is impressive and the wine is well-balanced.
critic reviews
A blend of 56% Merlot and 44% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Le Petit Cheval is deep garnet-purple in color. It bursts with flamboyant notions of baked plums, blueberry preserves, and kirsch, plus suggestions of cedar chest and lavender. The full-bodied palate is bright, refreshing, and breezy with fine-grained tannins and a mineral-laced finish.
The 2019 Petit Cheval has a very attractive cedar and tobacco infused bouquet that seems precise and supremely well focused. The oak is neatly assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with a bolder presence than intimated by the aromatics, sweet and layered black fruit, quite plush, satin texture with a persistent and seductive, modern style finish. Lovely. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
Exhibiting aromas of plums, sweet wild berries, rose petals, spices and cigar wrapper, the 2019 Le Petit Cheval is medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless, with supple tannins and succulent acids. Pierre-Olivier Clouet explains that his aspiration is to produce 100% Cheval Blanc and that, as a result, this cuvee simply represents anything that doesn't belong in the grand vin's blend. Of course, however, it shares some of the latter's DNA.
Muscular frame with rippling tannins that close in on the finish but never hide the layers of black chocolate, bilberry and charcoal. Juicy but controlled, with tension right through the core. This is a serious wine, playing between dense and elegant. 5.5% of overall production in Petit Cheval, no added press wine. Harvest September 10 to October 4. 50% new oak.
product details
you may also like
1996 · Red Wine · Merlot Cabernet
Château Cheval Blanc
Château Cheval Blanc, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion
Case 12 x 75 cl£5,171.47
Inc Duty & VAT
2022 · Red Wine · Merlot Cabernet
Château Cheval Blanc
Château Cheval Blanc, St Emilion
Case 6 x 75 cl£2,774.74
Inc Duty & VAT
2020 · White Wine · Merlot Cabernet
Château Cheval Blanc
Le Petit Cheval, Blanc, St Emilion
Case 1 x 1.5 L£248.11
Inc Duty & VAT
2023 · Red Wine · Merlot Cabernet
Château Cheval Blanc
Le Petit Cheval, St Emilion
Case 6 x 75 cl£720.00
Ex Duty & VAT
