Le Petit Cheval 2011

Characteristics and tasting notes for Petit Cheval 2011

Tasting notes

Appearance
This wine reveals a magnificent garnet-red hue, enhanced by delicate violet glints.

Nose
Highly aromatic, the bouquet opens with vibrant notes of ripe red and black fruits, such as raspberry, blackberry and black cherry. This is elevated by fine touches of spice and black pepper, over a backdrop of remarkably elegant oak.

Palate
The attack proves full and generous, leading into a mid-palate that is both round and dense. A fine tension develops between the fruity generosity of the Merlot and the minerality of the Cabernet Franc. The tannins are supple and the oak perfectly integrated, leading to a long, intense finish with remarkable freshness.

A second wine from Saint-Émilion born of an exceptional terroir

The estate

The modern history of Château Cheval Blanc began in 1832 with the acquisition of its first plots. Located in Bordeaux, this iconic estate is now owned by the LVMH group and the Frère family. Led by Pierre Lurton, the estate is defined by its philosophy of “capturing a place in a glass”. Deeply committed to agroecology, the estate made the bold choice to withdraw from the Saint-Émilion classification in 2021 in order to refocus on the essentials: its terroir, its history and the intrinsic quality of its wines.

The vineyard

Located on the right bank at the border of Pomerol, the Saint-Émilion vineyard spans 42 hectares divided into 56 plots. It stands out for its rare geological mosaic, blending high-quality gravel and deep clay in equal measure, complemented by sandy areas. It is precisely from these lighter, sandier soils that the grapes destined for the second wine mostly come. The estate practises precision viticulture, free of herbicides and insecticides, favouring agroforestry, polyculture and cover crops to preserve living soils. Petit Cheval is the estate's second wine.

The vintage

The year was marked by a particularly warm and dry spring, leading to early budbreak and flowering. While this water stress encouraged concentration on the clay and gravel soils, the August rains slightly tempered this effect on the sandy plots. Fortunately, an exceptionally mild and dry September allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness for the harvest. An unusual feature of this year was that the Cabernet Franc proved sweeter and less acidic than the Merlot.

Winemaking and aging

The berries benefit from a tailored, plot-by-plot vinification in vats suited to preserving the identity of each lot. Petit Cheval 2011 is then aged in oak barrels for approximately one year, a duration carefully calibrated to blend the oak with the wine while preserving the brightness of the fruit.

Grape varieties

72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc.