Chateau Cheval Blanc   Le Petit Cheval

2001 Le Petit Cheval

By Chateau Cheval Blanc

2001 Le Petit Cheval from Château Cheval Blanc, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux

Exploring the eloquent depths of the 2001 Le Petit Cheval from Château Cheval Blanc unfurls a narrative steeped in the exceptional traits of a Bordeaux vintage deserving recognition. This particular year stands testament to the adroit balance of climatic serendipity and astute winemaking – an ensemble evoking the quieter tradition of Bordeaux’s magnificence.

 

Investing in Poise and Pedigree

For investors with discerning palettes and portfolios alike, the 2001 vintage cuts an impressive figure amidst its peers. As the second wine of the esteemed Château Cheval Blanc, Le Petit Cheval does not merely reside in the shadow of its grand vin but instead articulates its own dialect of the estate’s legendary terroir. One finds that this vintage, in particular, escorts us deftly through a solid structure borne of ripe tannins and a fruit profile that remains vigorous nearly two decades on.

Perched on a regal constellation alongside prime vintages, 2001 whispers of a cooler, more conservative summer and a stellar September, critical in etching out the measured tempo that defines this wine. The composed nature of this season has manifested in Le Petit Cheval's bouquets, wafting with mature notes of plum and cedar. Every encounter elicits intellectual contemplation as much as sensory pleasure.

 

A Vintage Penetrated by Time’s Curation

The cultivated landscape from which the 2001 harvest emerged rendered a canvas only minimally disturbed by climatic extremes, carving out a space where complexity could breathe freely. Bordeaux connoisseurs might note the wine's retention of vivacity despite its maturity—an attribute invigorating for futures in both enjoyment and value.

Beneath an unassuming exterior lies a disciplined core – a poised ensemble of Merlot and Cabernet Franc delivering 2001's quiet opulence with grace. Nearing perfection in its tertiary development, nuances of tobacco entwine with dark cherry and subtle herbaceous slants—the elegant decay only old-world savoir-faire can accomplish.

The 2001 Le Petit Cheval presents itself as one of the finest options for those seeking to enrich their collection with a meditative vintage expressive of season and savoir-faire. Hailing from one of Bordeaux's heralded châteaux, it speaks volumes as an investment piece — modulated yet assured — showcasing the time-honored synergy between land, vine, and vintner.

Market price (GBP)

£1,670.00

12x75cl

Highest score

88

POP score

208.75

Scores and tasting notes

87-89

A fruity style of wine, the medium-bodied 2001 Petit Cheval (15,000 bottles), was made from 40% Cabernet Franc and 60% Merlot. It does not possess the weight of its bigger sibling, but there is admirable perfume, good vibrancy to the cool climate characteristics, and excellent definition. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 April 2003

Vintage performance