Petit cheval 2016

Le Petit Cheval

2016 was dry with a beautiful late autumn. Le Petit Cheval is then perfectly in the line with its eldest. It reveals a fresh, fruity and floral aromatic followed by a soft, voluminous and deep mouth. A beautiful initiation to the Cheval Blanc’s universe.

2016 was dry with a beautiful late autumn. Le Petit Cheval is then perfectly in the line with its eldest. It reveals a fresh, fruity and floral aromatic followed by a soft, voluminous and deep mouth. A beautiful initiation to the Cheval Blanc’s universe.

Weather conditions and vine’s growing cycle

Temperatures and rainfall

The first few months of the year were mild and very wet (420mm of rain between January and March). Normal temperatures prevailed between April and June with a lot of rain (273 mm). By the end of June, dry and sunny conditions set in, interrupted only by a few rainy spells in September (13-14 and 30 September). Extremely dry conditions prevailed between 1 July and 15 October. The most hours of sunshine for 15 years were recorded over July, August and September. In July, temperatures were about average.  August and September were hot with relatively cool nights. The harvest took place between 20 September and 12 October in mostly dry conditions.

2015 : Temperatures and rainfall compared with normal values in Saint-Emilion

Water balance

In 2016, there was a big difference in the water regime between the beginning and the end of the season. The first six months of the year were extremely wet (695 mm, which is a great deal more than during the entirety of 2015). At the end of June, therefore, the soils had nearly reached their limit in terms of water-holding capacity. However, the weather was exceptionally dry from the beginning of July up to the end of the harvest. The vines reacted differently to this unusual water regime depending upon the soil types. On clay and sandy soils (where the roots could reach the water underground) there were sufficient water reserves. On these soils, the limited water regime had a positive impact on the quality of the grapes. The dry conditions had a negative impact on young vines on gravelly soils, as they caused leaf loss and impeded the process of maturation. Old vines on gravel soils with deeper roots, however, fared well despite the lack of water and this had a positive impact on the quality.

2015 Water balance

Growing season

In 2016, the bud burst was early but, following relatively cool and extremely wet conditions in April and May, the vines flowered only a week or so later than usual. There were no particular problems during fruit set despite variable weather conditions during flowering. The vines ripened late and in batches. The dry conditions altered the maturation process depending upon the soil types: The process was accelerated on clay and sandy soils whereas maturation was delayed in young vines planted on gravelly soils. So, these plots which are usually amongst the first to be harvested were the last to be picked. The harvest took place over 23 days between 20 September and 12 October with lovely weather interrupted only by a couple of rainy spells. One plot of Cabernet-Sauvignon, planted in 2014, yielded its first harvest in a perfectly mature state.

Stades phénologiques en 2016 Merlot moyenne 1996-2015 Cabernet franc moyenne 1996-2015
Débourrement 25 mars 30 mars 28 mars 4 avril
Floraison 5 juin 30 mai 7 juin 1er juin
Véraison 8 août 2 août 13 août 6 août
Récolte 20 septembre – 1er octobre 18 septembre 28 septembre- 12 octobre 28 septembre
Durée en jours entre…
Débourement et floraison 72 jours 61 jours 71 jours 58 jours
Floraison et véraison 64 jours 64 jours 67 jours 67 jours
Véraison et récolte 43 jours 48 jours 46 jours 51 jours

The beginning of the season was blighted by mildew. But, thanks to good weather from the end of June, this had no negative impact. The harvest was an exceptionally healthy one.

Features of the vintage

Ripening and yields

The conditions were good for the development of the vine and the fruit set. Despite the dry conditions in the second part of the season, the berries were of about average weight and the yields were well above normal for both grape varieties. The hydric stress came late in the season and so didn’t impact upon the weight of the berries. Another reason for this is that there was plenty of nitrogen in the soil.

Rendement (hl/ha)
Merlot 50,3 33,7
Cabernet Franc 37,9 29,9

Cellar work

In 2016, the level of sugar in the grapes upon vatting was about average for the previous ten-year period. The total acidity was lower due to slightly high levels of malic acid in the grapes. This is fairly typical in years of water stress and means that the grapes were properly matured when harvested. What was exceptional in 2016 was the fact that the low levels of malic acid were not offset by high levels of pH.

Tasting

A very pure and clean nose with vibrant red fruits and flowers. Violet and raspberry dominate. The nose is both charming without being frivolous and complex. Scarcely perceptible oaky notes are beautifully integrated. An unctuous, dense and crisp attack. The wine is linear and long on the palate thanks to its acidity. Whilst the tannins are dense and extremely present, they are beautifully round and ripe, endowing the palate with a lovely creaminess. The finish is long, fresh and fruity with a perfect balance between the tannins and the acidity.
Tastings
01/03/2016

A very pure and clean nose with vibrant red fruits and flowers. Violet and raspberry dominate. The nose is both charming without being frivolous and complex. Scarcely perceptible oaky notes are beautifully integrated. An unctuous, dense and crisp attack. The wine is linear and long on the palate thanks to its acidity. Whilst the tannins are dense and extremely present, they are beautifully round and ripe, endowing the palate with a lovely creaminess. The finish is long, fresh and fruity with a perfect balance between the tannins and the acidity.