2024 Petit Cheval

The 2024 Le Petit Cheval is based on the estate's earliest-picked Merlot from sandy soils, matured in once-used barrels. Offering up aromas of cassis, vanilla pod and tobacco leaf, it's medium-bodied, taut and chalky. I suspect it will age quite nicely, but it's clear why it didn't merit inclusion in the grand vin.

You can feel the skill of the team here, teasing out a vivid, pure expression of the grapes, floral, iris and peonies, fruits are slim but with clarity, drawn out, slight touch of smoked earth and salinity, Higher Merlot than usual in the blend, but this is not exuberant. instead everything is in its place. Of the 56 plots of Chevaa, 8 were in Petit Cheval (the sandier-dominant), but only 15% of overall production in Petit Cheval this year. Came in with 39hl/h, finished with 28hl/h after sorting. 3.6ph. No new oak, but vinified and aged entirely in barrel.

The 2024 Le Petit Cheval comes from sandy soils planted with Merlot that was picked two or three days before what might have been optimal and Cabernet mainly from younger vines. The nose is well defined with dark berry fruit, hints of potpourri and crushed stone aromas unfolding discretely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with light and tensile tannins. The 2024 is a distinctly linear and approachable Deuxième Vin that should drink well for a decade.