Vinous - Neal Martin (92)

The 2014 Le Petit Cheval has an expressive floral bouquet with hints of fruitcake and fresh date complementing the red berry fruit. I like the delineation here. The palate is medium-bodied, classic in style, well balanced with a fine line of acidity, poised with the terroir showing through nicely on the finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-95)

In the running for the top second wine of the vintage, the 2018 Le Petit Cheval checks in as 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc and has incredible quality for a second wine. Floral notes of black cherries, graphite, and smoked earth all emerge from this medium to full-bodied Saint-Émilion that has plenty of classic Cheval Blanc elegance and purity as well as length. It’s already seamless and hard to resist, and ideal for drinking over the coming two decades or so.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-95)

In the running for the top second wine of the vintage, the 2018 Le Petit Cheval checks in as 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc and has incredible quality for a second wine. Floral notes of black cherries, graphite, and smoked earth all emerge from this medium to full-bodied Saint-Émilion that has plenty of classic Cheval Blanc elegance and purity as well as length. It’s already seamless and hard to resist, and ideal for drinking over the coming two decades or so.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2019 Petit Cheval is a stunning second wine - if it can even be called that. In 2019, Petit Cheval is a blend of four parcels that were in the Grand Vin in 2018. Dark, supple and expressive, the 2019 offers up an exotic mélange of black cherry, spice, new leather and graphite, all of which build effortlessly in the glass. The Petit represents 5.5% of the château's production in 2019, but it is more of a second selection, as 12% of the wine that year was sold in bulk.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2019 Petit Cheval is a stunning second wine - if it can even be called that. In 2019, Petit Cheval is a blend of four parcels that were in the Grand Vin in 2018. Dark, supple and expressive, the 2019 offers up an exotic mélange of black cherry, spice, new leather and graphite, all of which build effortlessly in the glass. The Petit represents 5.5% of the château's production in 2019, but it is more of a second selection, as 12% of the wine that year was sold in bulk.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2020 Le Petit Cheval is stunning. Rich, deep and expansive, the Petit Cheval is outrageously good. In fact, it could easily be mistaken for a Cheval Blanc from anything less than a great vintage. The aromatics are alluring and the balance is sublime; all that really identifies this as a second wine is a bit of mid-palate depth. Sweet floral and spice accents extend the effortless, gracious finish.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is a very structured Petit Cheval, because of the higher than normal cabernet sauvignon in the blend. It seems more like Pauillac, with blackcurrants and chewy yet polished and intense tannins. It needs time. 60% merlot, 33% cabernet sauvignon and 7% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is a very structured Petit Cheval, because of the higher than normal cabernet sauvignon in the blend. It seems more like Pauillac, with blackcurrants and chewy yet polished and intense tannins. It needs time. 60% merlot, 33% cabernet sauvignon and 7% cabernet franc.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2016 Cheval Blanc Blanc is a white of real depth and structural intensity. Citrus peel, almond, sage, mint and white pepper notes are highly nuanced and varietal in this 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Powerful and energetic in the glass, with terrific vibrancy, the 2016 has a lot to offer. Blocked malolactic fermentation and twenty months in oak contribute to giving the wine its natural intensity and character.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (93)

(from 80-year-old vines planted on thin clay soil over hard limestone): Full bright ruby. Medicinal black fruits and chocolate on the nose. Dense, plush and deep, with very ripe dark berry and chocolate flavors enlivened by chewy minerality. Can't quite match Le Carre for lift but this is every bit as concentrated and comes across as sweeter. Finishes with strong, building tannins and terrific length.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (93)

(from 80-year-old vines planted on thin clay soil over hard limestone): Full bright ruby. Medicinal black fruits and chocolate on the nose. Dense, plush and deep, with very ripe dark berry and chocolate flavors enlivened by chewy minerality. Can't quite match Le Carre for lift but this is every bit as concentrated and comes across as sweeter. Finishes with strong, building tannins and terrific length.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

The 2015 Les Astéries is a wine of pure and total allure. Much more satisfying from bottle than it was from barrel, the 2015 marries the natural intensity of the year and Jonathan Maltus's personal imprint with energy - a combination that dazzles from the very first taste. The dark cherry, espresso, mocha and licorice flavors bristle with power. Sumptuous in feel, but with good savory and mineral underpinnings from the Franc, the 2015 has much to offer. The blend is 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2018 Les Grandes Murailles was too reduced for me to assess out of barrel, but I am pleased to say it is blossoming now that it is in bottle. It has a gorgeous black cherry, blueberry, violet and peony nose that is beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy and generous. A counterbalancing salinity keeps the finish focused and fresh. This is an excellent Les Grandes Murailles that should age with style. Superb.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

The 2015 Louis is broad, generous and super-expressive. The rich, textured style gives the black cherry, espresso, blackberry, menthol and licorice flavors a good bit of voluptuousness. Although not especially subtle, the 2015 Louis is impeccably made. It will appeal most to readers who appreciate the more exuberant side of Saint-Émilion.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (84)

The 2016 Louis comes across as overripe, with hard tannins that make the wine feel clumsy. Sadly, élevage has not done much to soften the rough contours I saw when the 2016 was in barrel.

Indulge in Lynsolence 2012, a majestic blend emanating from Saint-Émiliion, Bordeaux, France. This wine exemplifies expertise and passion, crafted meticulously from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc grape varieties. Lynsolence's producer, Denis Barraud, carefully cultivates these vines on a petite vineyard of only 7 hectares, characterised by gravel and clay soil – a testament to terroir's paramountcy.

This vintage is famous for its complex aromatic richness. Upon uncorking, one can perceive the exquisite balance of depth and intensity. Confidently striding across the palate, it unfurls black fruit flavours of plum and blackberry intricacies, intermixed with seductive hints of chocolate. Smooth tannins offer a solid structure, culminating in a pleasurable lengthy finish.

The process of maturation is sacred for Lynsolence 2012. The wine is aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels, iteratively overseen to ensure perfection. Savour the magic of Lynsolence 2012 - a symphonic melody for the senses!

Indulge in Lynsolence 2012, a majestic blend emanating from Saint-Émiliion, Bordeaux, France. This wine exemplifies expertise and passion, crafted meticulously from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc grape varieties. Lynsolence's producer, Denis Barraud, carefully cultivates these vines on a petite vineyard of only 7 hectares, characterised by gravel and clay soil – a testament to terroir's paramountcy.

This vintage is famous for its complex aromatic richness. Upon uncorking, one can perceive the exquisite balance of depth and intensity. Confidently striding across the palate, it unfurls black fruit flavours of plum and blackberry intricacies, intermixed with seductive hints of chocolate. Smooth tannins offer a solid structure, culminating in a pleasurable lengthy finish.

The process of maturation is sacred for Lynsolence 2012. The wine is aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels, iteratively overseen to ensure perfection. Savour the magic of Lynsolence 2012 - a symphonic melody for the senses!