Le Petit Cheval Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020 - Second vin

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

With apple trees growing among the vines, along with chickens, sheep, and a few pigs, Cheval Blanc embraces a sustainable approach to agriculture. These are all assets for the 39 hectares of this legendary estate, which occupies a prime location on the appellation’s sandy-gravel plateau—slightly clayier on its northern slope, toward Pomerol. Cheval Blanc stands out from its neighbors thanks to its legendary longevity, which stems from the high percentage of Cabernet Franc. Pierre Lurton, its director since 1991 (he also serves as president of Château d’Yquem), and his talented teams demonstrate both rigor and ingenuity in perpetuating its inimitable style. The 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages are superb.

Decanter

About the wine:

Aroma of cola, licorice, and ripe blueberries—fragrant, heady, and expressive. The palate is delicious, smooth, and lively, with a youthful tension on the mid-palate. Elegant with a magnificent texture, perfectly balanced to convey a sense of fullness, while maintaining a refined and concentrated expression of black fruits, licorice, and flowers. Impressive and extremely enjoyable—it makes you want to pour a glass right away. Spicy and fragrant thanks to the Cabernet Franc, but it’s all the better with 59% Cabernet Franc and 41% Merlot. 2025–2040

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Originally a simple farmstead in Figeac, Cheval Blanc became an independent estate in 1832 when Jean-Jacques Ducasse, president of the Libourne court, purchased it and had the current château built. His descendants undertook major improvements, particularly drainage work, and by the end of the Second Empire, the estate had reached its current size (37 ha) and was ranked among the most renowned in Saint-Émilion. Its Pomerol-style terroir—featuring ancient gravel and sand over clay—explains the uniqueness of its vineyard composition, which is dominated by Cabernet Franc and complemented by Merlot. The descendants of President Ducasse remained at the helm of the estate until its acquisition in 1998 by Bernard Arnault (LVMH) and Albert Frère. They appointed Pierre Lurton as general manager and provided the château with a new winery, designed by Christian de Portzamparc.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Against a backdrop of intensified competition among the First Growths, and following a period of neglect (through 2005), the return of the estate owned by businessmen Albert Frère and Bernard Arnaud to the Saint-Émilion elite has been nothing short of spectacular. A new chapter is unfolding on this exceptional sandy-gravel terroir on the edge of Pomerol, with a vineyard that relies heavily on Cabernet Franc—including 8 hectares planted in 1956—which lends the great wine a unique freshness and depth of flavor. Since 2011, winemaking has taken place in the new, airy winery designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc. A tall, vast, luminous, minimalist, and eco-friendly structure. Fifty-five custom-made ivory-colored cement tanks, reinforced and contoured. It is the “beautiful and useful” facility that Captain-Director Pierre Lurton and Technical Director Pierre-Olivier Clouet had dreamed of. This spectacular yet unostentatious investment follows a vigorous overhaul of viticultural practices since 2008. With its confirmation as a Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the 2012 classification, the estate’s land base has expanded. For the first time, 1.40 hectares—derived from the annexation of Château Tour du Pin (a clay hill directly extending from the château’s driveway)—have been incorporated into the production of the grand vin. Though never the most powerful, Cheval Blanc nevertheless demonstrates a rare elegance and refinement. These characteristics are evident in the last five vintages and justify Cheval Blanc’s return last year to the exclusive ranks of the three-star wines.

James Suckling

About the wine:

The quality of the tannins in this second wine is impressive, with lovely aromas and flavors of red currants, berries, and cherries, along with hints of chocolate and nuts. Medium-bodied. Elegant and refined. 59% Cabernet Franc and 41% Merlot. It will need 3 to 5 years to fully develop, but it’s already quite lovely.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

It was important to harvest early to prevent the grapes from overripening. The days were very long and hot, with little drop in temperature at night. The bouquet “holds up” very well given the warm conditions of the vintage. The Cabernet Franc certainly contributes to this, as pleasant floral notes come to the fore. The wine has a slightly creamy attack. Its tannins unfold slowly, offering power and a slightly firmer character on the finish. This is nevertheless well-integrated thanks to the wine’s structure and fruity expression. Ultimately, the wine shows harmony, but it needs time to fully develop. 2026–2040

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. A very aromatic, refined, fruity, pure, and even complex nose. A lovely scent of raspberry. A profile that’s hard to describe, blending red and black fruits. Captivating. Now this is a wine with a seductive texture that glides across the palate, charms, becomes juicy, lingers in the mid-palate, and then melts away. It finishes delicately, with a long, utterly smooth aftertaste marked by deep aromas. Blend: 50% Cabernet Franc, 49% Merlot.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, beautifully defined, and offers precision as well as rich fruitiness. It features notes of juicy strawberry, vibrant blackberry, and, more subtly, vibrant dark berries, combined with hints of strawberry, violet, and mild spices, as well as delicate hints of pepper, a subtle hint of licorice root, a subtle hint of vanilla, and an imperceptible hint of coffee. The palate is delightfully rich, with creaminess, finesse and balance, a lovely tart structure, and beautiful juicy, pulpy, vibrant, and fresh fruit; it is smooth, with a lovely finesse of texture, a refined structure, fullness, and a touch of richness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy, vibrant blackcurrant, blackberry, and, more subtly, violet, combined with hints of vibrant purple plum as well as touches of cherry blossom, chocolate, caramelization, and toast. A lovely wine that is ripe, fresh, firm, and tender all at once. The finish lingers with notes of cocoa and caramel. There is a barely perceptible savory hint on the finish.