Petit Cheval Blanc

History

The story of Petit Cheval Blanc began in 2006, when Château Cheval Blanc acquired Château La Tour du Pin. Planted with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and a little over 8 hectares in size, this grand cru produced red wine entitled to the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation. The oldest plot of vines dated back to 1950. The two estates were only separated  by a small road leading from Saint Emilion to Pomerol.

The former La Tour du Pin vineyard rapidly underwent a full restructuring. After an acute observation, it was found that 1.5 hectares out of 8 had a superb potential for red wines, with a terroir exactly like Cheval Blanc’s. This part of the vineyard was therefore absorbed into that of the Château Cheval Blanc in 2012.The rest, 6.5 hectares, had a very different soil, but just as interesting profile – less dry. This normally constitutes a handicap for red wines, but it is actually an asset for whites. The awareness of this fine potential was the starting point. Subsequently, a radical plot conversion was decided to create a White Bordeaux in Château Cheval Blanc.

Terroir & Vinification

A genuine variation, in white, of the identity of Cheval Blanc, this wine is a blend of some 12 different plots, on clay, sandy and gravelly soils, where 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon fit perfectly.

Part of the estate has clay soil. The rest is more sandy, more moist, and less subject to water stress than Cheval Blanc. In fact, the terroir’s water supply is especially suitable to the production of great white wines!

The grapes are brought to Cheval Blanc’s farm, still named La Tour du Pin, and is surrounded by Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon vines. Production, ageing, and bottling take place in the middle of this privileged natural environment.

Tasting

Tasting an outstanding new wine always makes your heart beat faster. It is like openingthe shutters and discovering a new world of smells, sensations, and emotions.Petit Cheval Blanc transports us to one of these unique and exciting new worlds, one full of great aromatic complexity that is, however, never overbearing.

The fruity nose features hints of apple, pear, bergamot, lemon, and grapefruit zest. There are also nuances of lychee, mango, passion fruit, as well as white flowers, lime blossom, and flowers. No one instrument predominates in this subtle symphony of aromas. Echoing Cheval Blanc’s extremely precise balance, Petit Cheval Blanc reflectsthe elegance and complexity of its noble origins.

The Team: 

• Owners : LVMH et Albert FRERE
• Manager: Pierre LURTON
• Financial Manager: Arnaud de la FORCADE
• Technical Director: Pierre-Olivier CLOUET
• Œnologists: Cornelis VAN LEEUWEN, Gilles PAUQUET
• Head of culture : Nicolas CORPORANDY
• Cellar Master: Thierry GARNAUD