Le Petit Cheval 2019

The balance and density of a great wine from Saint-Emilion

The estate
Known all over the world, the Grand Cru Classé A Chateau Cheval Blanc is one of the legendary winemaking estates of the right bank of the Bordeaux region. The property's Second Wine, Petit Cheval, offers a superb introduction to the excellence of Cheval Blanc: a refined, powerful wine, with punchy and delicious fruit on the palate. With a new winery designed by Christian de Portzamparc and inaugurated in June 2011, Chateau Cheval Blanc continues to be an important part of the legend of Bordeaux’s greatest wines.

The vineyard
Cheval Blanc boasts a unique and rare terroir and a special position on the Saint-Emilion plateau. While the appellation of Saint-Emilion is known for its limestone formations, Chateau Cheval Blanc is situated on Quaternary alluvium soils of Isle, a non-limestone formation with a varied texture, combining gravel and clay soils in roughly equal proportions. This unique soils is quite similar to those of the greatest estates of Pomerol.

The vintage
The 2019 vintage was marked by low disease pressures. While the rainy days in June caused fear of mildew, none ever appeared in the vineyard of the Chateau Cheval Blanc. The ideal climatic conditions during the summer made it possible to start the harvest peacefully with the fruit in perfect sanitary condition. Ultimately, this 2019 vintage allowed the wine to accurately express the identity of the three types of terroir of Chateau Cheval Blanc. The richness and power of the Merlot was perfectly controlled through a very precise harvest, while the Cabernet ripened more slowly, allowing it to develop very fine tannins.

The blend

Merlot (56%), cabernet franc (44%).

The tasting

Tasted as a wine future, the Le Petit Cheval 2019 from Chateau Cheval Blanc reveals from the very first moments of tasting, an olfactory identity very much marked by Cabernet Franc. Freshness dominates, combining spicy, floral and peppery notes, further enhanced by touches of licorice, which is the signature of the Chateau Cheval Blanc Cabernet Franc. The attack on the palate is quite juicy, delicate at first before expressing the sheer power of the vintage. The development on the palate reveals the superb density and rich texture of the tannic structure through very fine grains, providing a feeling of perfect balance. The finish lingers for a long time. The Petit Cheval 2019 of Chateau Cheval Blanc is a superb success and is one of the best vintages of this legendary estate.