52% Merlot/48% Cabernet Franc.
- Producer
- Chateau Cheval Blanc
- Origin
- St-Emilion, Right bank, Bordeaux FRANCE
- Colour
- red
- Wine Style
- dry
- Dominant Grape
- Merlot
- Closure Style
- cork
- Maturity
- young
- Bottle Size
- 75cl
- Case Quantity
- 6
- Wine Score
- 89-91 points, Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2018
90 points, Jane Anson, decanter.com, April 2018 16.5 points, Julia Harding, jancisrobinson.com, April 2018
89-91 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com, April 2018
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Media Reviews
Neal Martin
The 2017 Le Petit Cheval is a small production this year, representing around 8% of the total, from two parcels including one of young sélection massale Cabernet Franc and Merlot on sandy soil. It has a taut, linear bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, briary and light pressed flower aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with cedar and tobacco-tinged black fruit, quite Left Bank in style, which is no surprise given the high percentage of Cabernet Franc that lends a subtle dried blood note on my second reading of this wine towards the end of my visit. I like the structure on the finish, coupled with the fruit that should make this approachable after one or two years. 89-91 points
Jane Anson
This has a gorgeously rich nose, with very attractive spice and florality. The 50% new oak comes through as a smoky coffee expression, and although the austerity is certainly accentuated this year, it`s still a lovely wine. Cheval was one of the frost affected estates in the appellation, and the lengths they went to in dealing with it were extreme: from dozens of micro-vinifications, to renting a Tribaie machine to measure the density of each berry (eventually using around 2% of second generation fruit, only after all had been vinified separately). The final count saw 8% of production going to Le Petit Cheval (5,000 bottles) and 13% to bulk, with the rest in the grand vin - a yield of 21hl/ha. 90 points
Julia Harding
Tiny amount produced this year. 4,500 bottles, usually 12–15,000. 52% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Franc. Mid cherry red. Very herbaceous and a strong graphite aroma. Dry finesse, chalky texture. Smooth and tender like the grand vin but less ripe-tasting. Super-fresh, very Cabernet Franc. Finesse and freshness to the fore. You have to like the herbaceous style to enjoy this. I almost gave this 17 because I do like that style but not everyone does. 16.5 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Composed of 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colore d 2017 Le Petit Cheval comes strutting out of the glass with gregarious notions of red currant jelly, black raspberries, blackberries and dark chocolate with hints of lavender, allspice, fertile loam and potpourri. Medium-bodied and firmly textured with chewy tannins and seamless freshness, it has plenty of spice and earth layers and a long, mineral-tinged finish. 4,500 bottles are to be produced. 89-91 points
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