2020 Petit Cheval Blanc

Cheval Blanc, a mythical spearhead Although the existence of vines at Cheval Blanc dates back to the 15th century, it was in 1852 that the wine was first marketed under the name of Cheval Blanc. In 1954, during the first classification of the wines of Saint-Emilion, it obtained the supreme distinction: the classification of Premier Grand Cru Classé "A". In 1998, two long-time friends, great wine lovers, joined forces to acquire this jewel of Saint-Emilion: Bernard Arnault and Baron Albert Frère, and introduced a new dynamic. The very special identity of Cheval Blanc is defined by its terroir, a unique and living heritage. Here, everything is done to ensure that it is fully revealed in each bottle. In order to preserve and reinforce the equilibrium of this fragile and yet magical ecosystem, the teams have put into practice the great principles of agroforestry and many trees have been planted in the Cheval Blanc vineyard. Petit Cheval Blanc For more than 10 years, Château Cheval Blanc has challenged itself to produce a great white wine on this small 6.6 hectares vineyard nested in the parcels of its elder. A genuine variation, in white, of the identity of Cheval Blanc, this wine is a blend of some 12 different plots, on sandy and clay soils, where 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% sémillon fit perfectly. 2020 vintage The first trimester saw above-normal temperatures, which led to the earliest budburst this young vineyard has ever seen, on March 19th for the Semillon and March 21st for the Sauvignon. Flowering and veraison were extremely rapid (1 week for flowering and 8 days for veraison) and very homogeneous. Water stress appeared in mid-July, remaining moderate until the harvest. The harvest, which was very early, took place from August 19th to 24th, with good health grapes Tasting notes A particularly successful vintage for Le Petit Cheval blanc, with bergamot, citrus, slightly grapefruit, fruity touches of pear, white flesh fruit. Freshness and a mineral note that probably comes from the ageing in large vessels. The nose is bright, fresh, precise and clean. The palate is vibrant, with a beautiful attack, freshness, tension, a relatively strong acidity, salinity and nice bitters that lengthen the mouth, and which compose with a beautiful volume, wide, creamy. A very nice balance for a wine that is already accessible, from its youngest age.