Le Petit Cheval - Château Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

Nicely focused, with a mix of red and black currant coulis notes laced with savory details and a fine chalky thread. There is tight-grained cedar on the finish, with lingering perfume as well. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. 872 cases made. –JM

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/26/2021

Beautiful aromas of bark, dried mushroom, berry and tile follow through to a full body with richness of fruit, creamy and ripe tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs two or three years to come around. Try after 2024.

Decanter.com

93 / 100

byJane Ansonthe1/12/2021

Vinous

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Le Petit Cheval comes from the usual five parcels representing the diverse soils across the estate. It has a tightly wound bouquet with blackberry, blueberry, cedar and light iris petal notes, broody at the moment but opening with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and very pliant with pure black fruit mixed with light truffle and tobacco notes. Harmonious with a precise finish that feels a tad compact at the moment. Therefore, give bottles three to four years once this is released, which it will be (unlike the previous vintage!)

WeinWisser

18 / 20

the5/7/2019

Vinous

90-93 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/3/2019

The 2018 Petit Cheval represents 10% of the estate's production and is taken from a collection of five parcels that span all of the three main soil types of the property: sand, gravel and clay, all of which were, incidentally, in the Grand Vin in 2016. A wine of remarkable harmony and class, the 2018 Petit Cheval possesses striking textural depth and nuance. Succulent black cherry, mocha, grilled herb, licorice and menthol build in a voluptuous, racy Petit Cheval that will drink well right out of the gate. The blend is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93-95 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

In the running for the top second wine of the vintage, the 2018 Le Petit Cheval checks in as 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc and has incredible quality for a second wine. Floral notes of black cherries, graphite, and smoked earth all emerge from this medium to full-bodied Saint-Émilion that has plenty of classic Cheval Blanc elegance and purity as well as length. It’s already seamless and hard to resist, and ideal for drinking over the coming two decades or so.

Vinifera

94 /

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Le nez affiche un profil très crémeux, sur les épices douces. Corps superbe, qui offre un velouté de texture magnifique. Long développement, crescendo. il y a une rare plénitude de chair et une structure continue. Le tanin prolonge magnifiquement la dégustation.  

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Floral in character, the wine is round, supple, silky, opulent and ripe. The velvet textured fruit is already easy to drink. The wine shows a resemblance to Cheval Blanc on the attack. In fact, if it was just a little longer the wine would be quite similar to Cheval Blanc. Produced from a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, only 8% of the harvest was placed into the wine this year.

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

“This year, this is truly a baby Cheval, right in line with the grand vin,” commented Technical Director Pierre-Olivier Couet. Ten percent of the total production this year went into this second label of Cheval Blanc. Composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Le Petit Cheval needs a lot of coaxing to encourage subtle nuances of crushed rocks, fallen leaves, potpourri and fertile loam to emerge before giving way to fragrant notes of warm blueberries, black raspberries, kirsch and unsmoked cigars with a touch of Marmite toast. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers layers of fresh, crunchy black fruits and loads of earthy sparks, framed by soft, velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

This shows beautiful density of fruit, but the tannins arrive at the end and show impressive length and density. Full body. Wild fruit. Excellent second wine from Cheval.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

95 / 100

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Decanter.com

92 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/4/2019

Juicy, precise and elegant, this is also extremely well balanced. It has soft black fruits, liquorice and gently smoked cedar. The sensation of density is almost hidden at first but in terms of numbers, the tannins are the highest since 2011. Through the palate the sensation increases to a soft two-point jab between tannins and fruit. Picked 11 September to 11 October. Fewer young plots are in the wine this year as the dryness of the summer meant some blockages, so they sold off 16% in bulk, with just 10% going into Petit Cheval (from five diverse plots of clay, gravel and sand). Drinking Window 2025 - 2040.