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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

With apple trees between the vines, chickens, sheep and a few pigs, Cheval Blanc has a sustainable vision of agriculture. The 39 hectares of this legendary estate occupy a prime position on the appellation's sandy-gravel plateau, which is slightly more clayey on its northern flank, near Pomerol. Cheval Blanc is distinguished from its neighbors by its legendary longevity, due to the high percentage of Cabernet Franc. Pierre Lurton, its director since 1991 (he also presides over Château d'Yquem) and his talented teams apply rigor and spirit to perpetuate its inimitable style. 2018, 2019 and 2020 are superb.

Decanter

About the 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 gorgeous texture, perfectly balanced to give an expression of fullness, while retaining a refined, concentrated delivery of black fruits, licorice and flowers. Impressive and extremely pleasing - makes you want a glass immediately. Spicy and fragrant because of the Cabernet Franc, but all the better with 59% Cabernet Franc and 41% Merlot. 2025-2040

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

Originally a simple Figeac tenant farm, Cheval Blanc became an independent property in 1832 when Jean-Jacques Ducasse, president of the Libourne court, bought it and had the present château built. His descendants undertook major works, including drainage, and by the end of the Second Empire, the vineyard had reached its current size (37 ha) and was one of the most renowned in Saint-Émilion. Its Pomerol-style terroir, with gravel and ancient sand over clay, explains the originality of its grape varieties, predominantly Cabernet Franc, complemented by Merlot. The descendants of President Ducasse remained at the head of the estate until it was bought out in 1998 by Bernard Arnault (LVMH) and Albert Frère. The latter appointed Pierre Lurton as general manager and endowed the château with a new winery, built by Christian de Portzamparc.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the domain :

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

About the domain :

Against a backdrop of heightened competition between premier grands crus classés, and after a period of neglect (until 2005), the return of the property owned by businessmen Albert Frère and Bernard Arnaud to Saint-Emilion's elite has been a resounding success. A new page is being written on this exceptional sandy-gravel terroir on the edge of Pomerol, with a vineyard that relies on a high proportion of Cabernet Franc, including 8 hectares planted in 1956, giving the grand vin a unique freshness and depth of flavor. Since 2011, vinification has taken place in the new, airy winery designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc. A tall, vast, luminous, elementary and ecological vessel. 55 custom-built, corseted and profiled ivory cement tanks. The "beautiful and useful" tool that captain-director Pierre Lurton and technical director Pierre-Olivier Clouet dreamed of. This spectacular, but not ostentatious, investment follows a vigorous return to viticulture since 2008. With its confirmation as a premier grand cru classé A in the 2012 classification, the land base has expanded. For the first time, 1.40 ha from the annexation of Château Tour du Pin (a mound of clay in perfect continuity with the château's driveway) is included in the grand vin. Never the most powerful, Cheval Blanc is nonetheless capable of offering rare elegance and refinement. These characteristics are found in the last five vintages and justify Cheval Blanc's return last year to the select group of three stars.

James Suckling

About the wine:

The quality of the tannins is impressive in this second wine, with lovely aromas and flavors of redcurrant, berry and cherry with some chocolate and walnut. Medium body. Racy and fine. 59% Cabernet Franc and 41% Merlot. Give it 3 to 5 years to fully develop, but it's already very beautiful.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

It was important to harvest early to avoid overripe grapes. Very long, hot days and little drop in temperature during the night. The bouquet "came through" very well in the warm context of the vintage. The Cabernet Franc certainly contributes to this, as pleasant floral nuances take center stage. The wine is slightly creamy on the attack. Its tannins reveal themselves slowly, offering power and a firmer character on the finish. This is nevertheless well integrated thanks to the structure and fruity expression. In the end, the wine is harmonious, but needs to develop further. 2026-2040

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Dark, intense and beautiful color. Very aromatic nose, fine, fruity, pure and even complex. Beautiful raspberry scent. Difficult to describe, combining red and black fruits. Captivating. Or là, là, here's a wine with a seductive texture that glides, charms, becomes juicy, lingers in the mid-palate, then melts. It finishes delicate, long and utterly unputdownable on deep aromas. Blend: 50% Cabernet Franc, 49% Merlot.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, nicely defined and offers precision as well as greediness of fruit. There are notes of pulpy strawberry, bright blackberry and, more lightly, bright black berries, combined with hints of strawberry, violet and sweet spices, as well as fine pepper, a discreet hint of licorice stick, a subtle touch of vanilla and an imperceptible hint of coffee. On the palate, the wine is beautifully greedy, with unctuousness, finesse/balance, a lovely acidic structure and juicy/pulpy/sparkling/fresh fruit, suavity, a lovely finesse of grain, a lovely finesse of guideline, fullness and a little fat. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/sparkling blackcurrant, blackberry and, more lightly, violet, combined with touches of bright violet plum and hints of cherry blossom, chocolate, caramelization and toastiness. A lovely wine, ripe, fresh, firm and tender at the same time. Cocoa and caramel notes persist. An imperceptible hint of sapidity on the finish/persistence.