2023 Le Petit Cheval Rouge

Bright cassis and graphite notes as well as spicy wood, dried herbs, and tobacco all emerge from the 2023 Château Cheval Blanc Le Petit Cheval, the second wine of this reference point estate that was pulled from healthy yields of 39 hectoliters per hectare. Based on equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the more sandy parcels and aged 16 months in once-used barrels, it's a juicy, gorgeous wine in its own right. I love its complex, supple, elegant style, and it's medium-bodied, has ripe tannins, and a great finish. There are roughly 1,300 cases produced, and it hit 13.5% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.77. Drink 2027-2038.

The 2023 Le Petit Cheval represents 10% of the estate's production. It's a blend taken from four parcels with a bit more sand than what is commonly found at the property. Floral top notes, red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and cedar lend notable aromatic intensity. Pliant and expansive on the palate, the Petit Cheval is superb in 2023.

The 2023 Le Petit Cheval represents 10% of total production this vintage. It has a fragrant bouquet that is very pure, black cherries and wild strawberry, hints of cassis with peony and violet scents that percolate through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, fine sapidity, quite assertive in terms of grip toward the finish with a touch of brine on the aftertaste. An upstanding Petit Cheval.