Le Petit Cheval Blanc

The story of Petit Cheval blanc began in 2006 when Château Cheval Blanc acquired Château La Tour du Pin, a cru classé of around eight hectares. The two properties are separated only by the road leading from Saint-Emilion to Pomerol. A genuine variation, in white, of the identity of Cheval Blanc, this wine is a blend of some 12 different plots, on sandy and clay soils, where 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% sémillon fit perfectly.

Winemaker notes

2020: A particularly successful vintage for Le Petit Cheval blanc, with bergamot, citrus, slightly grapefruit, fruity touches of pear, white flesh fruit. Freshness and a mineral note that probably comes from the ageing in large vessels. The nose is bright, fresh, precise and clean. The palate is vibrant, with a beautiful attack, freshness, tension, a relatively strong acidity, salinity and nice bitters that lengthen the mouth, and which compose with a beautiful volume, wide, creamy. A very nice balance for a wine that is already accessible, from its youngest age.

2020

James Suckling 96: Rather tropical fruit aromas like pineapple and mangoes, as well as white peaches and lemons with hints of stones and minerals. It’s full-bodied with plenty of fruit, yet it’s fresh and steely. Lots of white peaches at the end. Hints of lees too, like bread dough. 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon.

Vinous 96: The 2020 Le Petit Cheval Blanc is fabulous. Rich, creamy and wonderfully expansive, the 2020 is just gorgeous. Lemon confit, white flowers, passion fruit and a touch of oak all grace this wonderfully expressive dry white from Cheval Blanc. I especially like how the 2020 gains freshness with aeration, always a good sign with whites. There's tremendous precision and class here.

2021

Wine Advocate 90: A rich and exotic blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, the 2021 Le Petit Cheval Blanc bursts with aromas of green mango, passion fruit, lime and white flowers, followed by a medium-bodied, ample and fleshy palate that's satiny, textural and perfumed.

Vinous 94: The 2021 Le Petit Cheval (Blanc) is fabulous. Silky and intensely aromatic, with tons of Sauvignon Blanc character, the 2021 is all raciness. Pear, slate, mint, crushed rocks, lime and white pepper abound, all framed by brisk acids and gorgeous saline undertones. The 2021 is 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon.

2023

James Suckling 94-95: There’s depth of fruit, good structure and freshness in this black-cherry and chocolate-scented wine. It’s full-bodied, yet it tightens up on the finish. Toned, muscular and crisp. 10% of the production of Cheval. 50% merlot and 50% cabernet franc.