The Little Horse - Château Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2010

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89 / 100

the8/31/2013

(75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc):  Good deep ruby-red.  Very ripe aromas of cassis, violet and chocolate enlivened by fresh herbs.  Wonderfully full for a second wine, with lovely mineral lift to the flavors of black fruits, menthol and chocolate.  But not quite the nobility of tannins or length for 90 points.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2013

This is rather backward, with a thick coating of bittersweet ganache over a massive core of roasted fig, blackberry confiture and kirsch, backed by a long, charcoal- and tar-coated structure. The finish is broad, deep and very dark, with plenty of power in reserve. An impressive second wine. Best from 2015 through 2025. –JM

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe3/1/2013

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.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/14/2013

Representing just 20% of the production, the Le Petit Cheval has a fragrant bouquet with tertiary, blackberry notes, sous-bois and tobacco. It has fine transparency and lift. The palate is medium-bodied with quite an austere, but very well balanced, opening. It is almost like a Left Bank wine with its earthy, foursquare finish. Yet it has wonderful freshness and vitality and should aged well for 10-15 years. Tasted November 2012

Jamessuckling.com

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

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.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

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. Drink 2011-2026

Asian Palate

92-94 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

The 2010 Petit Cheval has aromas of plums, cassis, blackberries and cedar, and exuberant flavours with wonderful ripe blackberry and violet notes. This beautifully austere second wine has the same pH (acidity level), and alcohol as the Cheval Blanc, layers of concentration and very dense firm tannins - a wine to lay down for at least 8-10 years.

Le Point

16 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

75% merlot, 25% cabernet franc. Fruits rouges, bouche fraîche, très éléegant, des tanins de très grande qualité, fruité frais. O=2014 G=10 ans

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

Love the mineral, violets and berries on the nose. Turns to chocolate too. This is so silky and beautiful, with amazing texture for a second wine. Long and beautiful. It’s like a top Pomerol this year. Better than 2009. 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc.

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2011

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

TAST

17-18 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Composé aux trois quarts de merlot, c’est un second vin d’une finesse superlative, suave et racé, brillantissime dans l’éclat et la fraîcheur, doté d’une allonge épanouie, mariant délicatesse de texture et précision du fruit. Indiscutablement à la hauteur.

Decanter Magazine

17 / 20

byJames Lawther MWthe4/30/2011

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. Drink 2016-2028. (17 points)

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/25/2011

Le Petit Cheval From 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, this medium bodied wine is filled with coco powder, black cherry and licorice, coupled with freshness and round textures. 90-92 Pts

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/14/2011

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). Drink 2020-2030

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,8 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/6/2011

Le niveau de ce vin a monté depuis l'incontournable 2008. Pour une fois en 2010, il est très marqué par le merlot dans son assemblage. Nez frais, fin, pur et beau. Bouche charnue d'un bout à l'autre, corpulente, savoureuse, aux arômes de fruits frais, avec une touche exotique.

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/6/2011

Great dusty tannins that are almost too powerful and very solid in character. The wine is chunky, allowing juicy fruits to show. It's a dry wine, yet not hard.-R.V.