Little Horse - Château Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017

Extremely perfumed and beautiful with currant and cherry aromas and just a hint of flowers. Medium body, very fine tannins and sheer polish and beauty. Lovely fruit. Want to drink it now, but it’ll be better in 2019. Second wine of Cheval Blanc.

Vinous

92 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017

The 2014 Petit Cheval is silky and beautifully aromatic. Sweet floral and herbal notes meld into a core of red cherry, tobacco, anise and mint. Medium in body and gracious, the 2014 possesses striking balance, especially for a second wine. This is a great expression of the estate with the midweight structure that gives the wine its near-term appeal. The blend is 55 % Merlot and 45 % Cabernet Franc.

Le Point

16 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Nez frais, floral, Belle-de-juillet, bouche fraîche, tendue, note réglisse, bonne longueur, très fin.

Vinous

90-93 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

Sweet dark cherries, smoke, menthol and new leather flesh out in the 2014 Petit Cheval, a wine that offers considerable near-term appeal. Creamy and silky in feel, the 2014 is very nicely balanced throughout. Savory herbs, rose petals, lavender and sweet spices add the final layers of nuance on the saline, finely-knit finish. The 2014 is 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc, with the Franc particularly expressive today. The 2014 Petit Cheval is a great example of what a second wine can be, which is to say a smaller-scaled version of the Grand Vin.

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-91 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

Blending 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc, this wine is packed with flowers, licorice and earthy notes. On the palate, the wine is fresh, silky, pure and medium bodied, focusing on fresh, sweet cherries. 90-91 Pts

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Le Petit Cheval 2014 is a blend of 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc, representing 25% of the production. Matured in 50% new oak and 50% one-year old wood, it has a voluminous bouquet with black olive-tinged, raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, hints of vanilla developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. There is a linearity here, a strictness and poise. It does not have a fantail of concentrated fruit on the finish, but it does linger in the mouth and delivers an unexpected tang of Shezhuan pepper on the after taste. As my score implies, this deuxième vin is equal to many a Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé.

Asian Palate

92 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Delicious Petit Cheval that is luscious and generous with focused flavors of dark plum, cassis and spices. A beautiful, supple Petit Cheval that is very long on the finish. About 50-50 Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Decanter.com

17,25 / 20

byJames Lawther MWthe4/17/2015

52% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Franc. 25% of the production. Almost the same blend as the grand vin and very much in little brother mould. Perfumed and floral with a menthol note. Long and linear. Tannins finely woven. Elegant and harmonious. Drink: 2020-2030 (90+)

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

the4/13/2015

25% of production. 25,000 bottles. 52% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Franc. pH 3.65 – a bit lower than usual. Not fleshy but very pure and very Cheval. Just a little bit stringy on the end but classic imprint. A little chewy but light.   12.8%Drink 2019-2028

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

Very firm and fresh with blueberry, blackberry and chocolate. Full body, firm tannins. This is long and deep. A very beautiful second wine.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

Wine Enthusiast

92 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

91–93. Barrel Sample. This wine is intensely aromatic from the Cabernet Franc in the blend. Fine, dusty tannins are balanced by juicy blackberry flavors.   — R.V.  (4/2/2015)

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2015

"Very charming, with bright red currant and damson plum fruit, laced with a lively minerality and a lilting bergamot note. Long and silky, this is almost approachablenow, but the acidity is so fine that this could be sneakily long-lived in the cellar.Tas