Le Petit Cheval Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020 - Second vin

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

With apple trees nestled among the vines, chickens, sheep, and a few pigs, Cheval Blanc has a sustainable approach to agriculture. These are just some of the assets of this legendary 39-hectare estate, which occupies a prime location on the sandy-gravel plateau of the appellation, with slightly more clay on its northern flank, towards Pomerol. Cheval Blanc stands out from its neighbors thanks to its legendary longevity, due to the high percentage of Cabernet Franc in its blend. Pierre Lurton, its director since 1991 (he also presides over Château d'Yquem), and his talented teams demonstrate rigor and ingenuity in perpetuating its inimitable style. The 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages are superb.

Decanter

About wine:

Nose of cola, licorice, and ripe blueberries—fragrant, heady, and expressive. The palate is delicious, smooth, and energetic, with youthful tension on the mid-palate. Elegant with a magnificent texture, perfectly balanced to give an expression of fullness, while maintaining a refined and concentrated delivery of black fruit, licorice, and flowers. Impressive and extremely pleasant—it makes you want to drink a glass immediately. Spicy and fragrant due to the Cabernet Franc, but it is even better with 59% Cabernet Franc and 41% Merlot. 2025-2040

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Originally a simple farmstead in Figeac, Cheval Blanc became an independent property in 1832 when Jean-Jacques Ducasse, president of the Libourne court, purchased it and built the current château. His descendants undertook major works, particularly drainage, and by the end of the Second Empire, the estate had reached its current size (37 hectares) and was among the most renowned in Saint-Émilion. Its terroir, similar to that of Pomerol with ancient gravel and sand on clay, explains the originality of its grape varieties, dominated by Cabernet Franc and complemented by Merlot. The descendants of President Ducasse remained at the helm of the estate until it was bought in 1998 by Bernard Arnault (LVMH) and Albert Frère. The latter appointed Pierre Lurton as general manager and provided the château with a new winery, designed by Christian de Portzamparc.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Against a backdrop of increased competition between the premier grands crus classés, and following a period of neglect (until 2005), the return of businessmen Albert Frère and Bernard Arnaud to the Saint-Émilion elite has proved sensational. A new chapter is being written on this exceptional sandy-gravelly terroir on the edge of Pomerol, with a vineyard that relies heavily on Cabernet Franc, including 8 hectares planted in 1956, which gives the great wine a unique freshness and depth of flavor. Since 2011, vinification has taken place in the new, airy cellar designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc. A tall, vast, luminous, elemental, and ecological vessel. Fifty-five custom-made, corseted, and contoured ivory cement vats. It is the "beautiful and useful" tool that captain-director Pierre Lurton and technical director Pierre-Olivier Clouet had dreamed of. This spectacular but unostentatious investment follows a vigorous overhaul of the vineyard since 2008. With its confirmation as a Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the 2012 classification, the estate's land base has expanded. For the first time, 1.40 hectares from the annexation of Château Tour du Pin (a clay hill in the perfect extension of the château's driveway) have been included in the grand vin. Although never the most powerful, Cheval Blanc is capable of offering rare elegance and refinement. These characteristics can be found in the last five vintages and justify Cheval Blanc's return last year to the exclusive club of three-star wines.

James Suckling

About wine:

The quality of the tannins is impressive in this second wine, with beautiful aromas and flavors of redcurrants, berries, and cherries with a hint of chocolate and nuts. Medium-bodied. Refined and elegant. 59% Cabernet Franc and 41% Merlot. It needs 3 to 5 years to fully develop, but it is already very good.

Yves Beck

About wine:

It was important to harvest early to avoid overripe grapes. The days were very long and hot, with little drop in temperature at night. The bouquet comes through very well in the warm context of the vintage. Cabernet Franc certainly contributes to this, as pleasant floral nuances take the upper hand. The wine is slightly creamy on the attack. Its tannins reveal themselves slowly and offer power and a firmer character on the finish. However, this is well integrated thanks to the structure and fruity expression. Overall, the wine is harmonious, but it needs time to blossom. 2026-2040

Jean-Marc Quarin

About wine:

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Very aromatic, refined, fruity, pure, and even complex nose. Lovely raspberry aroma. Difficult to describe, blending red and black fruits. Captivating. Here we have a wine with an enticing texture that glides, charms, becomes juicy, lingers in the mid-palate, then melts away. It finishes delicately, long and completely unspit-worthy, with deep aromas. Blend: 50% Cabernet Franc, 49% Merlot.

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The nose is elegant, beautifully defined, and offers precision and delicious fruit. There are notes of juicy strawberry, bright blackberry and, more subtly, bright black berries combined with hints of strawberry, violet, sweet spices and delicate touches of pepper, a discreet hint of licorice, a subtle hint of vanilla and an imperceptible hint of coffee. The palate is delightfully rich, smooth, refined, and balanced, with a lovely acidity and juicy, pulpy, vibrant, fresh fruit, sweetness, a lovely finesse of grain, a lovely finesse of guideline, fullness, and a little fat. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/vibrant blackcurrant, blackberry and, more subtly, violet, combined with hints of vibrant purple plum and touches of cherry blossom, chocolate, caramelization, and toast. A lovely ripe wine, fresh, firm and tender at the same time. A lingering finish with notes of cocoa and caramelization. An imperceptible hint of sapidity on the finish/lingering finish.