Retail Team | December 27, 2023
Situated just below the border of Pomerol, Château Cheval Blanc looms large as one of the most iconic estates of Saint-Émilion. While the estate’s flagship release receives justified recognition, Cheval Blanc also produces two magnificent “Petit” cuvées, one red and one white. Sotheby’s Wine is pleased to share selections from standout vintages that attest to winemaker Pierre Lurton’s extraordinary range.
Le Petit Cheval, the estate’s second wine, hails from five parcels across the property, capturing a cross-section of Cheval Blanc’s notoriously diverse terroir, mixing gravel, sand, and clay. In 2018, Le Petit Cheval’s harmonious blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc made for a sumptuous wine defined by its elegance and long, silky tannins.
Le Petit Cheval Blanc, a newer addition to Cheval Blanc’s selection, debuted in 2014 and has quickly risen in stature to become recognized among Bordeaux’s most brilliant white wines. The cuvée is the result of Cheval Blanc’s acquisition of Château La Tour du Pin in 2006, whose vineyard offered prime terroir for white wine grapes. The clay and sandy soils make for a wine of huge breadth and complexity, typically assembled from 13 different plots.
The 2018 vintage was the first to feature a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, a gorgeously expressive white boldly filled out with tropical fruit and lemongrass notes. The 2019 is floral and bright, while the 2020 seduces with a creamy texture and notions of orchard fruit and minerals.
