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Le Petit Cheval 2005

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

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Cheval Blanc

Label

Tasting Notes

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This has really turned out much better than I thought when tasted blind. The nose is very closed, black earthy fruits with a touch of liquorices. Muffled. Good structure, a little Cabernet Franc in here? Nice cedar quality, fine tannins, focused and masculine towards the blackberry finish. Good length. Good breeding and purity. Drink 2010-2020. Tasted January 2009.

93
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, March 2009

Cheval Blanc’s second wine, the 2005 Le Petit Cheval, possesses some of the character of its bigger sibling. Revealing a slight green streak among the cranberry and black cherry fruit along with medium body and a soft, plush texture, it is ideal for drinking over the next decade.

89
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (176), April 2008
89
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, February 2008

Tasted blind. Blackish ruby. Quite a bit of interest on the nose already. Then a bit spindly with a lack of real fruity core on the mid palate. Some sourness. Could be enjoyed already but there are lots of tannins underneath. 13.5%
Drink 2016-2028

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2017

Came 68th out of 184 wines

15.93
-, Southwold Bordeaux Tasting, January 2009
Read more tasting notes...

Readers should take note of the estate’s second wine, the delicious, up-front, Cheval-like Le Petit Cheval. The 2005 may be the finest example of this cuvee yet produced. Lastly, readers should be aware that the owners of Cheval Blanc recently purchased the nearby La Tour du Pin Figeac, so they now have another 20-acre vineyard which they hope to bring up to an exciting level of quality.

90/92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (170), April 2007

Wonderful aromas of chocolate, spice and toasted oak. Full-bodied, with really fine tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Excellent for the second wine of Cheval-Blanc. Gorgeous.

92/94
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2006

50:50 Cabernet Franc:Merlot - comprises 30 per cent of total production at Cheval Blanc in 2005. Extremely deep crimson. Very very rich and flattering on the nose. Lovely dancing lively fruit on the front palate. Gorgeous already with quite a lot of freshness and acidity and a neat, dry finish. A little alcoholic on the finish. Already approachable - Pierre Lurton prefers it to Cheval Blanc at this stage. One of the most open, charming 2005s I've tasted. Great lift. 13.6 per cent. One is extremely aware of very ripe Merlot and gravelly terroir on the nose of this wine. Pounded raspberry note. Drink 2010-22

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2006
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.