Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2023 Saint-Émilion

James Suckling
(94-95)100 punten
There’s depth of fruit, good structure and freshness in this black-cherry and chocolate-scented wine. It’s full-bodied, yet it tightens up on the finish. Toned, muscular and crisp. 10% of the production of Cheval. 50% merlot and 50% cabernet franc.

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
(93-95)/100 punten
Cherry blossoms, chocolate, plums, black cherries, and flowers create the aromatics. Medium-bodied, silky, elegant, and fresh, with a voluptuous texture that sets the table for the chocolate-covered black cherries, plums, and truffles. The wine is perfectly balanced between its freshness, and its opulent, nature. There was a time when second wines were simply second wines. Clearly, that is no longer the case. You can enjoy this on release and for the following 2 decades after that. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Franc, with 50% Merlot. Drink from 2027-2042.

Jeb Dunnuck
(92-94)/100 punten
Brought up all in once-used barrels, the 2023 Château Cheval Blanc Le Petit Cheval is based on equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It offers loads of Cabernet character in its deeper currants, tobacco, darker chocolate, and leafy herb-like aromatics, with a kiss of background violet and floral nuances. It's no lightweight and has plenty of structure, medium body, ultra-fine tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's a singular, unique expression from this terroir that will benefit from 5-6 years, if not more, of bottle age.