Chateau Cheval Blanc Le Petit Cheval 2009
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James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator -
Wine
Enthusiast
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This has a little more Cabernet Franc than usual. Intense aromas of dried flowers, spices and blueberries. Full-bodied, juicy and fruity, with a beautiful softness and polish. Goes on for minutes. Best Petit Cheval. The second wine of Cheval Blanc. Best after 2018.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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.
Barrel Sample: 91-93 Points -
Wine Spectator
This has density and heft, but stays pure and almost accessible now, thanks to its lovely, rounded feel, which allows the plum, fig, steeped black currant, melted licorice snap and loam notes to hang gracefully through the finish, with well-buried acidity. Best from 2013 through 2023. 1,665 cases made.
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Wine Enthusiast
Density with an important structure, this wine is concentrated, with fresh plum flavors. There is a slight edge of greenness, bringing out acidity.
Barrel Sample: 88-90 Points
Other Vintages
2021- Vinous
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Jeb
Dunnuck - Decanter
- Decanter
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Jeb
Dunnuck - Vinous
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Wine
Enthusiast -
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Spectator -
Robert
Parker
- Decanter
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
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Wine
Enthusiast -
James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck - Decanter
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
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Wine
Enthusiast
The present-day Cheval Blanc vineyards had vines at least as far back as the 18th century, as shown by Belleyme's map of the region dated 1764. Nearly a century later, the estate was acquired by the Fourcaud-Laussac family who owned it until 1998, when it was sold to Mr Bernard Arnault and Baron Albert Frère.
The vineyard is in a single block, and borders on the Pomerol appellation. An outstanding terror and unusual proportions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot give this great wine an absolutely unique flavor. Chateau Cheval Blanc has had a greater number of outstanding vintages than any other classified great growth over the past century.
Another unusual characteristic of Cheval Blanc is that once it reaches its peak, it maintains it for a very long time. This admirable wine is powerful, soft, rich, round and silky. It has tremendous fruit and elegance as well as exceptional quality from year to year.