The 2021 Le Petit Cheval is fabulous. A parcel of Cabernet Sauvignon typically used for the Grand Vin gives the 2021 its core of dark fruit. Heady and explosive in the glass, the 2021 offers up a spellbinding array of dark fruit rose petal, mocha, incense and licorice. All the elements meld together so effortlessly. The 2021 is a dazzling Petit Cheval. That's all there is to it.
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022

Dark, rich, blackcurrant and ripe plum, black cherry. Lovely fluid style, very Cheval, with powdery tannins and a juicy blackcurrant palate. Pretty intense, vivid, very pure and smoothly fruited by with tension and balance through to the finish which carries lovely drying minerality. Almost Left Bank in style! Bon vin.
April 2022

An unusual blend for Petit Cheval this year because so much of the Cabernet Franc was saved for the first wine. Deep purple in colour, plenty of violet reflections. On the aromatics you get pencil lead, peony, rose petal, followed up by cassis notes and scraping graphite-textured tannins. This is one where you can clearly see the similarity with vintages like 2014 and 2008, clearly has the legs to age beautifully and shows skilful winemaking from Pierre-Olivier Clouet. 3.6ph, 13% of overall production. Not impacted by frost, but mildew on the Merlot grapes brought the yield down to 28hl/h yield.
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, May 2022

Representing 13% of the estate's production (a further 18% was sold off in bulk), the 2021 Le Petit Cheval exhibits aromas of cherries, sweet berries, loamy soil, tobacco leaf and spices. Medium to full-bodied, lively and nicely concentrated, with powdery tannins and a saline finish, it's a blend of 60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc.

Dark-fruit aroma. Long and linear on the palate, the Cabernet Sauvignon marking the blend (first time this much in Petit Cheval). Crunchy fruit with a firm grain of tannin. Structure for a bit of age. (JL) 13%
Drink 2027 – 2036
Jancisrobinson.com, May 2022