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Le Petit Cheval 2011

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

The quality of Cheval Blanc's second wine continues to go from strength to strength. For example, the 2011 Le Petit Cheval reveals savory, high-brow nuances along with black currant, black cherry, spice box and mineral notes. Round, generous and medium-bodied, this sleeper of the vintage is ideal for drinking over the next decade or more.

89
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (212), April 2014

Representing just 20% of the total production (with 15% sold off in bulk), the Le Petit Cheval is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. It has a light, airy bouquet with dark berry fruit. There is just a touch of leafiness but it is fresh and well defined. The palate is a little chunky on the entry with grippy tannins. It is a little rustic and disjointed at the moment, although it should meld together with time. Leaving my glass for a few minutes it offers some attractive herbaceous/tertiary flavours towards the finish. This will probably drink over the next 5-8 years. Tasted April 2012.

88/90
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2012

A wine with pretty balance of fruit and spices, with berry, hazelnut and cocoa. Full to medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Second wine of Cheval. Better in 2015.

90
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2014

Using far less Cabernet Franc than the grand vin at Chevel Blanc in 2011, this is nevertheless one of the leading second wines of the vintage. Chocolate and a hint of green bean on the nose, this is leafy and quite forward with appealing spice, toasty oak, fine-grained tannins and good length. 8+ years.

94
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2012

75% Merlot as in 2010. Delicate berry fragrance. Acidity is underlined and a firm structure and finish. Drink 2018-2028.

16.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2012
Read more tasting notes...

The 2011 Le Petit Cheval (75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc) is very Pomerol-like (not surprising since this vineyard sits on the Pomerol/St.-Emilion border). Abundant notes of berries, leafy underbrush, currants, plums and a hint of Asian spices are found in this attractive, fruit-forward effort. Enjoy it over the next decade.

87/89
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (200), April 2012

This is well done for the second wine of Cheval with orange peel and chocolate with hints of hazelnut. Full to medium body, with fine tannins and a lovely finish. This is the first year that the wines of Cheval were made parcel by parcel in the new winery.

90/91
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2012
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.