Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2021

A rich and exotic blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, the 2021 Le Petit Cheval Blanc bursts with aromas of green mango, passion fruit, lime and white flowers, followed by a medium-bodied, ample and fleshy palate that's satiny, textural and perfumed. Drink Date: 2023 - 2030

White pear, sage, mango and citrus set the tone for this vibrant and juicy vintage of Le Petit Cheval. A touch of fennel and aniseed bitterness on the finish contrasts with a lovely density through the mid palate, and the whole thing is given lift, salinity and spice from waves of subtle oyster shell, lime zest and ginger. Lingering finish, great quality. Very few Bordeaux whites have this kind of long barrel ageing on lees, 10% new oak, spread across a mix of 600l demi-muids for 20% of the volume and the rest in larger oak casks in a range of sizes.

80% Sauvignon Blanc 20% Semillon. 20 months in mostly demi-muids. Mirabelle plums, lime leaf, white pepper and pea shoot snap with a rush of candied melon, sweet-sour pineapple, kiwi and ripe yellow pepper. Just the right level of bitter pithiness on the mid palate, with star fruit, grapefruit granita and a refreshing saline note, like the salt on the rim of a cocktail glass. Very long and with some textural crystallised fruit adding texture, and passionfruit peeping through on the persistent finish.

Not tasted En Primeur.