2021 Petit Cheval

The 2021 Château Cheval Blanc Petit Cheval Blanc is gorgeous and comes from a parcel just to the west of the château. A blend of 83% Sauvignon and 17% Sémillon brought up in 50% new wood, it has a killer nose of crushed citrus, orange blossom, and chalky minerality to go with a medium-bodied, vibrant, racy, yet beautifully concentrated and textured style on the palate. I love its overall balance, it has remarkable purity, and I suspect it will provide over a decade of prime drinking.

The 2021 Le Petit Cheval (Blanc) is 80% aged in foudres and 20% in demi-muids , 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon. It has a well-defined bouquet, fresh and vibrant, displaying Anjou pear and touches of Granny Smith, petrichor scents surfacing with aeration. The palate is well-balanced with a lovely texture, the Sémillon playing a greater influence than the proportion of the blend would suggest and imparting a slightly waxy texture. Fleeting touches of chamomile and quince emerge toward the finish. Excellent.

The 2021 Le Petit Cheval is every bit as impressive as it was from barrel. Soft, silky and exceptionally balanced, the 2021 is all class. Dark cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, smoke and grilled herbs abound. The blend is 60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc, with the Cabernet Sauvignon quite evident. That makes the 2021 a pretty unique wine, especially in its tannin profile. The spent 18 months in once-used barrels.