Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2020 - Bordeaux White
Led by Pierre Lurton, Château Cheval Blanc occupies a prominent position in the Saint-Émilion appellation. The estate has been owned by the Dillon family since 1935 and boasts a new ecological winery designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc.
Le Petit Cheval Blanc is the result of an initiative and a challenge taken on by Château Cheval Blanc over 10 years ago: to create an exceptional white wine from a terroir traditionally renowned for its red wines.
Although the original idea was to produce a wine intended exclusively for a circle of family and friends, the ambition to elevate it to the rank of a truly great wine quickly became evident. The 2014 vintage, with only 3,000 bottles produced, marks the beginning of this adventure, perfectly embodying the essence of the château.
Le Petit Cheval Blanc boasts a 6.6-hectare vineyard entirely dedicated to this distinctive cuvée, which was once used to produce Château La Tour du Pin Figeac. This vineyard was acquired in 2006. In 2022, the purchase of Château La Tour du Pin reunifies the historic La Tour du Pin vineyard. Part of its 11 hectares will naturally be dedicated to white wine production.
Le Petit Cheval Blanc is the only white wine produced by Château Cheval Blanc. It was born in 2014, as a single-varietal 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Sémillon quickly added a higher dimension thanks to its structure and, of course, complexity with its complementary aromatic palette.
In this register, the Sauvignon expresses citrus aromas that the Sémillon enriches with nuances of white fruits, while barrel aging brings a smoky touch to the overall effect.
This is a particularly successful vintage for Le Petit Cheval Blanc, with bergamot, citrus, and a hint of grapefruit on the nose, along with fruity hints of pear and white-fleshed fruit. Freshness and a mineral note likely stem from the large-bodied aging process. The nose is sparkling, fresh, precise, and clean.
The palate is dynamic, with a beautiful attack, freshness, tension, relatively strong acidity, salinity, and lovely bitter notes that linger on the palate, complementing a beautiful, broad, and creamy volume. A very fine balance for a wine that is already accessible even at a young age.
Data sheet
- Designation
- Bordeaux Blanc
- Year
- 2020
- Color
- White
- Acceptance
- 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sémillon
- Alcohol level
- 13°
- Apogee
- 2023 - 2029
Jean-Marc Quarin - Noté 93/100 (march 2023)
Vinous / Neal Martin - Noté 92/100 (january 2024)
Vinous / Antonio Galloni - Noté 96/100 (décembre 2022)