The 2020 Le Petit Cheval is a Bordeaux Blend composed of 59% Cabernet Franc and 41% Merlot, crafted in the renowned Saint Emilion region of Bordeaux, France. With an alcohol content of 14.5%, this red wine is presented with a traditional cork closure.
This vintage has garnered high praise from wine critics, reflecting its exceptional quality. Decanter awarded it a 95, highlighting its "cola, liquorice and ripe blueberries on the nose" and describing it as "so delicious on the palate, smooth and driving with excellent energy." The publication emphasized the wine's "sleek and stylish" texture, concluding that it is "impressive and supremely pleasurable."
Vinous also rated the 2020 Le Petit Cheval highly, giving it a score of 94. Antonio Galloni noted its richness and depth, remarking that it could "easily be mistaken for a Cheval Blanc from anything less than a great vintage." He praised the wine’s "sweet floral and spice accents" and its "effortless, gracious finish."
Wine Enthusiast echoed this sentiment with a score range of 93–95 points. Reviewer Roger Voss appreciated the wine's structure and highlighted its "fine juicy quality" and floral character, making it suitable for medium-term aging.
Jane Anson, giving it a 94, pointed out the wine's complexity and layers, noting its "raspberry, damson fruits with points of orange and mandarin peel." She mentioned that the wine has "balanced acidities and serious architecture," making it a standout Petit Cheval to watch for.
Wine Spectator offered a slightly lower score of 91 but still praised the wine for its "well-defined core of dark currant and black cherry puree," along with "black licorice and sweet tobacco" notes.
Jeb Dunnuck, scoring it 94, described it as "one hell of a second wine," noting its medium to full-bodied richness and ripe, polished tannins. He suggested it would drink nicely for 15+ years.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with a score of 91+, highlighted the wine's "aromas of minty cherries, plums, raw cocoa, mint and spices" and described it as a "rather structured young Petit Cheval that will reward a bit of patience."
Finally, Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider also gave it a 94, calling it a "mini Cheval Blanc" and praising its "freshness, silky-refined textures and purity in the supple fruits."
Overall, the 2020 Le Petit Cheval is a highly regarded wine, noted for its depth, complexity, and balance. It is suitable for both immediate enjoyment and aging, with several reviewers suggesting it will continue to develop over the next two decades.