2018 Le Petit Cheval Rouge
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Tasting notes
Smoky, filigree tannins, full body with refined but impactful dark fruit. All alto for now – the soprano and tenor will emerge with time. Iodine and olive on the length. Certainly requires age. (RH)
Critic scores
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Second vintage ever. Cork with wax on top. Quite a stinky, obvious Pessac-Léognan nose. Rich, lanolin-textured, rather luxurious wine. Long and satisfying with excellent balance. Serious. (JR)
Fresh acidities ensure a brisk pace from the first moment, and this is a bright, grippy white wine, with clarity of flavour in the citrus, lemongrass and rosemary notes, slowing down on the finish with graphite and slate hints. As it opens up richer stone fruit become clearer. First year with Sémillon added to the wine, after being entirely Sauvignon Blanc since its launch in 2014. Aged for 18 months in new oak, demi-muids and vats (14 and 26hl) ensures a rich texture, and draw out the finish. Le Petit Cheval Blanc comes from 6.6ha of vines in what was previously Ch la Tour du Pin. Tasted at a château vertical this summer.
Fresh acidities ensure a brisk pace right from the first hit, and this is a bright, grippy white wine, with clarity of flavour in the citrus, lemongrass and rosemary notes, slowing down on the finish with graphite and slate hints. As it opens up richer stone fruit notes become clearer. First year with Sémillon added to the wine, after being entirely Sauvignon Blanc since its launch in 2014. Aged for 18 months in new oak, demi-muids and vats (14 and 26hl) ensures a rich texture, and draws out the finish. Le Petit Cheval Blanc comes from 6.6ha of vines in what was previously Ch la Tour du Pin.
About the producer
Ch. Cheval Blanc is one the finest producers in Bordeaux. The Saint-Emilion estate’s Cabernet Franc-dominant wines are consistently among the top wines of the vintage.