Château Cheval Blanc – 2000 Le Petit Cheval 

Château Cheval Blanc – 2000 Le Petit Cheval.

A refined expression from one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated estates, offering grace over grandeur and a window into the character of Cheval Blanc at the turn of the millennium.

Le Petit Cheval serves as the second wine of Château Cheval Blanc, crafted from parcels and blends that don’t make it into the Grand Vin but remain fully aligned with the estate’s pursuit of elegance, precision, and Cabernet Franc–driven complexity. Rather than a “lesser” wine, its purpose is to present a more accessible interpretation of the estate’s style—softer in structure, earlier in approachability, yet unmistakably shaped by the same terroir and philosophy. The 2000 vintage reflects this vision with maturity, finesse, and a poised expression of Saint-Émilion’s limestone and gravel soils.

About the Winery

Château Cheval Blanc holds a singular position on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. As one of the rare Premier Grand Cru Classé A estates of Saint-Émilion, it built its legacy on a distinctive blend anchored by Cabernet Franc, supported by Merlot, and defined by elegance over power. The patchwork of gravel, clay, and sand across its vineyards gives Cheval Blanc a character closer in spirit to the Médoc than many of its neighbors, contributing to its aromatic lift and refined structure.

Le Petit Cheval was introduced to safeguard the uncompromising selection of the Grand Vin. Only barrels that meet the highest standards proceed to Cheval Blanc; the remainder are assembled into a wine that reflects the estate’s identity with a more inviting profile and shorter aging trajectory. In this way, Le Petit Cheval acts as both an ambassador and a storyteller—revealing Cheval Blanc’s style in a form meant to be enjoyed earlier and with less austerity.

About the Wine

The 2000 vintage is remembered as one of Bordeaux’s great harvests, producing ripe yet balanced fruit with remarkable aging potential. For Le Petit Cheval, this translated into a wine that entered its prime earlier than the Grand Vin but retained sufficient depth and structure to age gracefully for more than two decades.

In the glass, it shows a fading garnet rim with a deep, translucent core—visual proof of its maturity. The nose opens gently and beautifully: dried red cherry, plum, and redcurrant mingle with forest floor, cigar box, and cedar shavings. Subtle notes of tobacco leaf, graphite, and dried rose add an old-world charm, while a touch of truffle hints at tertiary evolution.

The palate is silky and harmonious, with softened tannins that glide rather than grip. The once-vivid fruit has transitioned toward dried and savory tones—think cranberry, cherry skin, and warm spice—balanced by earthy undertones and a delicate mineral thread. The acidity remains lively enough to keep the wine fresh, giving lift to a finish marked by cedar, leather, and a gentle herbal echo. There is no excess here; instead, the wine speaks in quiet confidence and textural refinement.

Importantly, this is a wine that has reached its plateau. The structure is fully resolved, the aromatics complex, and the balance serene—suggesting that its optimal drinking window is now. Further aging may bring marginal evolution but is unlikely to add meaningful depth.

Conclusion

The 2000 Le Petit Cheval is a graceful, mature Saint-Émilion that captures the spirit of Cheval Blanc through elegance, nuance, and terroir transparency rather than force. It exemplifies the purpose of a second wine: an earlier-drinking, refined interpretation of a great estate, offered without compromise in precision or identity.

Today, it stands at the peak of its life—fully open, beautifully integrated, and best enjoyed in the near term. A bottle that rewards patience, honors its pedigree, and delivers a quietly compelling Right Bank experience.

We award this wine a 91-point DWA score—a refined, mature Bordeaux that is ready to be enjoyed now at its very best.

This review is written by our own Niels Aarts. Cheval Blanc and its wines are available through our partner Total Grand Cru, and can be bought in their online shop.

Taste Date:     November 2025 

Website:         Château Cheval Blanc