Le Petit Cheval represents the meticulous selection process of the iconic Château Cheval Blanc, sharing the same exceptional terroir of deep gravel over clay and sand on the boundary of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. In 2012, a cooler growing season demanded rigorous sorting, yielding a second wine defined by aromatic precision and structural harmony rather than raw power. The blend, led by Cabernet Franc and Merlot, underwent parcel-by-parcel vinification before maturing in French oak barrels, resulting in a classic Right Bank expression that echoes the refinement of its grand vin while offering earlier approachable grace.
Tasting notes
Opens with complex aromas of ripe cassis, graphite, dried tobacco leaf, and subtle crushed violet. On the palate, a silky core of dark plum and red currant is framed by fine-grained, integrated tannins and vibrant acidity. The oak integration is seamless, imparting delicate notes of cedarwood and spice through a long, mineral-driven finish that reflects the gravelly terroir of Cheval Blanc.