0 0
You are not authorized, please log in.

2021 Le Petit Cheval, St Emilion, Bordeaux

  • Red
  • Dry
  • Full Bodied
Not ready (Drink 2033 - 2072)
Jane Anson MW
95/100
James Lawther MW
16+/20
William Kelley
89-91/100
Neal Martin MW
90-92/100
James Suckling
94-95/100
Product: 20218123565

Free standard delivery on orders over £200

In Bond purchases can be stored in our temperature-controlled warehouse

Covered by our quality guarantee

2021 Le Petit Cheval, St Emilion, Bordeaux

Description

Merlot 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 33%, Cabernet Franc 7%

Petit Cheval represents only 18% of the production in 2021, but all the components have grand-vin potential. That is especially true of this year’s Cabernet Sauvignon, which was elbowed out of the grand vin by the excellence of the Cabernet Franc. The record-high Cabernet Sauvignon drives this wine in a specific direction: graphite to the fore, the floral elements more hidden. The tannins are especially fine-grained and sophisticated. Though not as heady and ethereal as the grand vin, there is a beautiful balance and sheen to the fruit and the finish here. Drink 2025-2035.

Our score: 16/20

Berry Bros. & Rudd (April 2022)

Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2021
Alcohol % 13.5%
Maturity Not ready (2033 - 2072)
Body Full Bodied
Producer Château Cheval Blanc

Critics reviews

Jane Anson MW 95/100
White pear, sage, mango and citrus set the tone for this vibrant and juicy vintage of Le Petit Cheval. A touch of fennel and aniseed bitterness on the finish contrasts with a lovely density through the mid palate, and the whole thing is given lift, salinity and spice from waves of subtle oyster shell, lime zest and ginger. Lingering finish, great quality. Very few Bordeaux whites have this kind of long barrel ageing on lees, 10% new oak, spread across a mix of 600l demi-muids for 20% of the volume and the rest in larger oak casks in a range of sizes. Estate director Pierre-Olivier Clouet. Ideal with a 30 minute carafe.Drink 2023-2034jane_anson_mw, Inside Bordeaux, janeanson_com
Drink 2023 - 2034
Jane Anson MW, InsideBordeaux
James Lawther MW 16+/20
Dark-fruit aroma. Long and linear on the palate, the Cabernet Sauvignon marking the blend (first time this much in Petit Cheval). Crunchy fruit with a firm grain of tannin. Structure for a bit of age.Drink 2027 - 2036james_lawther, JancisRobinson.com (May 2022)
Drink 2023 - 2034
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2022)
William Kelley 89-91/100
Representing 13% of the estate's production (a further 18% was sold off in bulk), the 2021 Le Petit Cheval exhibits aromas of cherries, sweet berries, loamy soil, tobacco leaf and spices. Medium to full-bodied, lively and nicely concentrated, with powdery tannins and a saline finish, it's a blend of 60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc.William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)
Drink 2023 - 2034
William Kelley, RobertParker.com (Apr 2022)
Neal Martin MW 90-92/100
The 2021 Le Petit Cheval, which, according to Pierre Lurton, contains more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, has attractive iris flower and incense aromas on the nose, along with plenty of dark berry fruit and just a touch of crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit on the entry, that Cabernet imparting a Médoc-like structure, and a strict, saline finish. I can see this aging well in bottle while waiting for the Grand Vin to reach its drinking plateau.Drink 2025 - 2038Neal Martin, Vinous.com.com, (May 2022)
Drink 2023 - 2034
Neal Martin MW, Vinous.com (May 2022)
James Suckling 94-95/100
This is a very structured Petit Cheval, because of the higher than normal cabernet sauvignon in the blend. It seems more like Pauillac, with blackcurrants and chewy yet polished and intense tannins. It needs time. 60% merlot, 33% cabernet sauvignon and 7% cabernet franc.james_suckling, jamessuckling_com (May 2022)
Drink 2023 - 2034
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (May 2022)

About this wine

Saint-Emilion

Saint-Emilion

First officially classified in 1954, St-Émilion is one of Bordeaux's largest winemaking appellations, producing more wine than Listrac, Moulis, St Estèphe, Pauillac, St Julien and Margaux combined. Many of the region's finest vineyards can be found atop the steep limestone slopes of the village itself, although a fledgling band of garagiste producers are eschewing terroir to make small-batch, deeply-concentrated wines from their homes.
Find out more

Need help?

  • Contact our customer service team for help placing your order


    Call us on 0800 280 2440


    Available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

  • Chat with a Berry Bros. & Rudd wine & spirits expert for advice on choosing the perfect bottle.

    A floating button will appear in the bottom right corner of the page, when live chat is available.

Delivery and Quality Guarantee

  • Free delivery on orders over £200.

  • Wines and spirits purchased In Bond from Berry Bros. & Rudd can be stored in our temperature-controlled warehouse.

  • Every bottle sold by Berry Bros. & Rudd is subject to our quality guarantee. If a wine or spirit is corked or faulty, we will replace or refund it.