Le Petit Cheval 2021

A refined and intensely fruity Saint-Emilion Second Wine

The estate

Known all over the world, the Grand Cru Classe A Chateau Cheval Blanc is one of the legendary winemaking estates on the right bank of the Bordeaux region. The property's Second Wine, Le 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

Chateau Cheval Blanc boasts a unique and rare 39-hectare terroir that enjoys 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 finest estates of Pomerol.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage is characterized by rainfall and temperatures which are within the season’s average range. Nevertheless, a higher-than-average amount of rainfall was recorded during the months of May and June. The summer months alternated between sunshine and some minor rainfall. By mid-August, dry weather set in and lasted until the harvest. This enabled the grapes to complete a slow and heterogeneous ripening process while providing the fruit with a pleasant concentration.

Vinification and aging

Following the grape harvest between September 22nd and October 14th, over 65 days after the veraison period for certain plots, the grapes are taken to the cellar. The ‘’haute-couture’’ vinification process of Chateau Cheval Blanc is based on a fresh maturation of the grapes along with a pure plot-based vinification, with the use of indigenous yeasts and a gentle extraction. Maceration is long and pumping over is carried out manually. Only one délestage is carried out during the 4-week vatting period. Before the wine is aged in new barrels, malolactic fermentation is carried out in vats. This process lasts 16 months.

The blend

Merlot (60%),

Cabernet Sauvignon (33%)

Cabernet Franc (7%).

Le Petit Cheval 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Nose

The aromatic bouquet reveals floral and pinkish notes and a delicate expression of perfectly ripe red fruit. 

Palate

Le Petit Cheval 2021 opens up to a fruity and ample attack. This Second Wine exudes alluring notes of raspberry, a tannic and straight structure as well as a promising aging potential.