Le Petit Cheval 2020 (750ML)

93 DE / 91-93 VM / 16 JR

A huge amount of density and grip, the tannins close in from the first moment and it needs some time to get past the intense cocoa bean, liquorice and cassis fruit, but as it opens up you get a generous serving of peony, iris and violet. The focus is very much on what the Cabernet Franc is giving at this point, and this is a serious Petit Cheval. 12% of overall production because the dry summer was tough on the young vines on gravel (with 71% going to the main estate wine and 17% not bottled under the estate name). 3.7pH.  Drinking Window 2025 - 2038 - Jane Anson, Decanter

The 2020 Le Petit Cheval, which represents 12% of the total production this year, has a tightly wound bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, touches of wilted iris and just a dab of menthol. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit intermixed with sage and black pepper. Grippy and quite serious toward the finish, which feels a touch drier than usual. I feel this will need 5–7 years for the tannins to soften. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Juicy and fresh with dark-fruit and mint notes. Delicate and restrained on the palate but misses some depth in the middle. Tannins initially finely edged but a tad dry and grainy on the finish. - Jancis Robinson