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Le Petit Cheval 2009

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Franc/Merlot

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Tasting Notes

Possibly the finest second wine Cheval Blanc has yet produced, the 2009 Le Petit Cheval is a blend of 35% Merlot and 65% Cabernet Franc. It exhibits more caramelized notes than the grand vin along with a luscious, open-knit, subtle herbaceous component. This fleshy, sexy 2009 is ideal for drinking over the next decade.

91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, March 2012

Delivers plum and spices on the nose, with hints of coffee and black licorice. Full-bodied, offering a wonderful silky texture and a long, long finish. So inviting and delicious already.

90/93
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2010

65% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot. Mild, low-key, soft nose. A little inky and awkward at the moment. Chewy finish not integrated with the fruit. A bit of alcohol on the end. This does rather taste like offcuts (15% only, apparently) rather than a wine in its own right. Awkward acidity on the end too. Date tasted 30 March 2010. Drink 2015-2025.

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2010

Full-bodied (14.2°) but amazingly fresh and balanced (65% Cabernet Franc). Fragrant, focused and satisfying. Fine, filigree tannins. Drink 2015-2025.

17
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2010
Read more tasting notes...

The 2009 Le Petit Cheval is the best second wine I have ever tasted from this estate. Composed of two-thirds Merlot and one-third Cabernet Franc, it is better than most vintages of the grand vin from the sixties and seventies. Notes of chocolate, black cherries, herbs, and spice emerge from this full-bodied, thick, juicy wine. Enjoy it over the next 10+ years. (Tasted once.) Drink 2010-2020.

Robert Parker added an asterisk to this wine score to signify that it is a wine he considers has the finest potential of all the offerings he has ever tasted from this estate in nearly 32 years of barrel tasting samples in Bordeaux.

91/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010

A blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot, the bouquet is a little more generous than in previous years, with pure blackberry, blueberry, a touch of damson and limestone. Good definition. The palate is structured on the entry, that Cabernet Franc really defining the wine, very fine tannins though and lovely balance. Very pure and linear at the moment, but it skips along towards the finish without a care in the world. Tasted March 2010.

91/93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2010
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.