Petit Cheval 2003 750ml

Wine Advocate #214 Aug 2014
A sleeper of the vintage, the 2003 Le Petit Cheval includes the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc used in this cuvee to date. Composed of 77% Cabernet Franc and 23% Merlot, it displays an incredibly complex nose of sous-bois, freshly chopped porcini mushrooms, blueberries, raspberries and coffee. The beautiful aromatics are somewhat of a let-down once the wine hits the palate, but there is enough fruit, texture and interest to hold the taster’s interest. This lovely second wine may deserve an outstanding rating. Enjoy it over the next 3-4 years.

Chateau Le Petit Cheval is the second wine of the legendary First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Class) Chaeau Cheval Blanc (Castle of the White Horse). Cheval Blanc lies in the farthest corner of Saint Emilion bordering Pomerol. Chaeau Cheval Blanc came into being when land and vines were acquired from its neighbour Chateau Figeac by the Fourcaud Laussac family in 1832. Today Cheval Blanc is owned by Bernard Arnault (chairman of LVMH) and Albert Frure (also owners of Chateau d'Yquem) with Pierre Lurton as estate manager.
The 100 acre vineyard of Chateau Cheval Blanc is unusual in that it borders the stony plateau of Pomerol and takes on some of those qualities, it spans the gravel ridge which travels across to Chateau Figeac and also covers terroir typical of Saint Emilion. The grapes grown are also unusual as they are not the atypical Saint Emilion Merlot dominated vines. They are 57% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and small parcels of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Meats, Beef and Venison