Le Petit Cheval 2021

The freshness and precision of a dry white Bordeaux wine

The estate

Located on the right bank of Bordeaux, the Château Cheval Blanc is one of the most prestigious references of the Saint-Émilion appellation. This Premier Grand Cru Classé A stands out for the unique style of its wines, which possess immense class and are among the most sought-after in the world.

The wine

Produced under the Bordeaux Blanc Sec appellation, Le Petit Cheval is the result of an adventure and a challenge that Château Cheval Blanc embarked on more than 10 years ago: to produce a great white wine on a terroir historically renowned for its red wines. While the initial idea was to produce a wine intended for exclusive family and friendly production, very quickly, the idea of making it a great wine became an obvious choice.

The vineyard

Embodying the essence of Cheval Blanc's identity, Le Petit Cheval Blanc enjoys a plot that is entirely dedicated to it. This 6.6-hectare vineyard was formerly that of la Tour du Pin. Benefiting from its own winemaking and aging tool, Le Petit Cheval Blanc is assembled from a mosaic of 13 different plots combining vines planted on sandy soils and clay soils.

The vintage

Starting in mid-March with bud break and extending until March 26, the vegetative cycle saw an early flowering in June. The summer alternated between sunshine and rain, but from mid-August, the climate became drier. This led to a slight water stress before the harvest. The harvest of this vintage was late, taking place from September 10 to 16. To improve the maturity of the grapes, leaf thinning was practiced, producing juices with floral, fruity, and mineral profiles.

Vinification and aging

A pressing and a slight settling precede fermentation in demi-muids (600L), foudres (15hL), and wooden vats (15, 20, 25, and 30 hL). Following vinification, the lees stirring initially daily gradually decrease according to the tastings carried out by the team. After the blend made in February, the wines are aged for 18 months before being racked, stabilized, fined, clarified, and bottled.

Blend

Sauvignon Blanc (80%)
Semillon (20%)

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Le Petit Cheval 2021 cuvée

Tasting

Color
The color reveals a beautiful yellow hue with green reflections.

Nose
With remarkable freshness and precision, the nose reveals a sublime array of white fruits and citrus.

Palate
The palate offers a straight, ample, and enveloping attack. It reveals a perfect balance between tension, acidity, and volume. Beautiful bitters finally stretch out on a delicate and mineral finish.