Château Cheval Blanc Le Petit Cheval 2020

Le Petit Cheval 2020 is the refined second wine of the legendary Château Cheval Blanc, offering a glimpse into the estate’s grand style in a more approachable, earlier-drinking form. This is a poised and structured Saint-Émilion red that marries Cabernet Franc’s aromatic lift with Merlot’s plush fruit. In the acclaimed 2020 vintage, it stands out for its energy, depth and the promise of graceful evolution in bottle.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Le Petit Cheval 2020 shows a deep, vibrant ruby hue with a youthful purple rim, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The nose opens with vivid notes of minty cherry and ripe plum, layered with raw cocoa, gentle spice and a touch of fresh herbs, creating an aromatic profile that is both enticing and precise. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and generous, yet impressively structured. Juicy dark and red fruits are framed by a broad, fine-grained tannic backbone that gives shape and length without feeling harsh. The cocoa and spice reappear on the finish, carried by a lively, refreshing line of acidity. While already charming, this is a relatively firm and youthful expression of Le Petit Cheval that will benefit from a few years of cellaring, with optimal drinking from the mid-2020s into the early 2030s.

Production
Le Petit Cheval 2020 is crafted from vineyards in Saint-Émilion, on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, where a mosaic of gravel, sand and clay over limestone gives Cabernet Franc and Merlot both ripeness and aromatic finesse. The blend in this vintage is 59% Cabernet Franc and 41% Merlot, harvested by hand to ensure only the healthiest, optimally ripe berries reach the cellar. At Cheval Blanc, vinification is parcel-based to respect the nuances of each plot, with fermentation conducted in temperature-controlled vessels and careful extraction to highlight elegance over power. The wine is then matured in French oak, allowing it to gain complexity, polish its tannins and integrate its components while preserving the purity of fruit that characterizes the estate’s style.

Food & Serving
Le Petit Cheval 2020 is a natural partner for refined, flavourful dishes such as roast lamb with herbs, veal chops, duck breast, or beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction. It also pairs beautifully with earthy elements like wild mushrooms, truffle-infused dishes, and aged hard cheeses. For best enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). Decanting for about an hour in its youth helps the wine open up its aromatic complexity and soften the tannins, especially if enjoyed within the first 5–7 years after the vintage.

Producer
Château Cheval Blanc is one of Bordeaux’s most revered estates, located in Saint-Émilion on the Right Bank, and is classified among the region’s very top producers. Known for its unique dominance of Cabernet Franc in a Merlot-rich area, Cheval Blanc has long been celebrated for crafting wines of profound elegance, longevity and aromatic complexity. Le Petit Cheval is the estate’s second wine, created from selected parcels and barrels that reflect the Cheval Blanc signature in a more accessible guise. Over decades, the château has helped define the identity of Saint-Émilion on the world stage, earning a loyal following among collectors and enthusiasts for its uncompromising quality and distinctive character.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.