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Petit Cheval (2nd wine of Cheval Blanc) 2010

St Emilion, Second wine

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Tasting Notes

The second wine of Cheval shows such glorious yet subtle fruit with chocolate, dark berries such as blackberries, and a light spice character. A walnut undertone. It's soft and silky with wonderful balance and beauty. It goes on for minutes. Hard not to drink now.

Score: 95

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 04 February 2013

The best second wine I have ever tasted from Cheval Blanc is the 2010 Le Petit Cheval. This wine is essentially three-fourths Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Rivaling the brilliant 2009, thirty percent of the production from this monstrously sized estate made it into this wine, which offers up plenty of white chocolate, cassis and mulberry as well as a hint of roasted herbs. With fleshy, round flavors, full-bodied texture and an amazing finish, this is no second wine, and considerably better than some of the Cheval Blancs of the 1960s and 1970s! Drink it over the next 15 or so years.

Score: 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2013-2028 01 February 2013

2010 Le Petit Cheval: The strength of the selection process at Cheval Blanc has only increased, and the 2010 Le Petit Cheval (75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc) will rival their 2009 as the finest second wine ever made at Cheval Blanc. I know it is hard for readers to believe, but it is better than many of the vintages of Cheval Blanc in the 1960s and 1970s. Dense plum/purple, with notes of mocha, black cherries, and forest, this spicy wine displays no real evidence of wood, but plenty of plum, seductive fruit, a fleshy texture, and a tremendous finish. Not a hard edge can be found in this seamlessly built wine, which should be drunk over the next 10-15 years.

Score: 91 - 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 04 May 2011

75%M, 25%CF, aged in 50% new oak. Floral nose with a touch of eucalyptus - with plenty of ripe fruit and brown sugar in the middle.

Score: 93 - 95

Albany Vintners, - 28 April 2011

A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, this represents around 20% of the production. This has a very tight nose at first that needs time to open up: dark berries, loganberry, wild hedgerow and just a hint of Chinese tea. Good definition. The palate is medium-bodied with good definition and structure, the Cabernet Franc imparting a slight bell pepper tang towards the linear finish. Good focus, very smooth and just a little dry towards the finish. Fine. Drink 2013-2020. Tasted March 2011.

Score: 90 - 92

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2013-2020 27 April 2011

This absorbed a lot of the Merlot. 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc. Sweet and spicy on the nose. Lovely texture and sweet start. Very charming start, then quite tough and drying tannins on the finish. Slightly hot finish. Great freshness. Apparently the analysis is exactly the same as for Cheval Blanc - most unusual. (IPT 84). 14.5%

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2020-2030 14 April 2011

20% of the crop this year and more Merlot (75%) than '09. Medium to full-bodied, round with supple texture and fine tannins. Acidity provides freshness and length. A very polished wine.

Score: 17

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2016-2028 01 April 2011

Supersilky, with lush plum and fig notes and a broad swath of tobacco flowing through the very rounded finish. Tasted non-blind.

Score: 91 - 94

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 31 March 2011