La Petit Cheval - Château Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2011

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 31/08/2014

Bright medium red.  Strawberry, redcurrant and violet on the nose.  Juicy and vinous, with redcurrant and delicate coffee flavors showing good sweetness and plenty of early appeal.  Finishes moderately long and a bit simple, with a hint of dusty minerals, repeating floral nuances and smooth tannins.  A lovely wine expressing pristine aromas and flavors.  Pierre Lurton and technical director Pierre-Olivier Clouet told me that the final blend is 72% merlot and 28% cabernet franc (it was 75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc during the Primeurs).

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

par Robert Parker le 02/05/2014

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.

Jamessuckling.com

90 / 100

par James Suckling le 19/02/2014

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.      

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

par James Molesworth le 11/02/2014

Polished, offering good mouthfeel to the layers of fig sauce, crushed plum and licorice. Judicious toast frames the finish, with a hint of charcoal adding length. A little lighter than when tasted from barrel, but still balanced and refined without trying too hard. Drink now through 2020.

Le Point

15,5 / 20

par Jacques Dupont le 17/05/2012

Fruits noirs, tanins doux, serrés et vifs en finale ; frais, joli fruit. O=2015 G= 10 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-89 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 12/05/2012

(a blend of 75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc): Bright ruby-red. Fruit-driven redcurrant and strawberry aromas on the perfumed nose. Straightforward and easygoing in the mouth, with juicy, very pure floral red berry flavors of average length and depth. One of the lighter-styled Petit Chevals of recent years.

Decanter.com

16,5 / 20

le 30/04/2012

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

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2012

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.

TAST

17-18 / 20

par Bettane & Desseauve le 30/04/2012

La production se partage cette année en 15% de vin écarté, 20% pour Petit Cheval et 65% pour le grand vin. Petit-Cheval confirme l'éclat des précédents millésimes : grande finesse de saveur, allonge suave et voluptueuse, fruit brillant, densité pas énorme mais finesse éblouissante.

Wein Wisser

17 / 20

par René Gabriel le 30/04/2012

2015-2029

The Wine Cellar Insider

88-89 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 27/04/2012

With a large portion of Merlot at 75% and 25% Cabernet Franc in the blend, the wine opens to truffle, caramel and black cherry. Medium-bodied, with some dryness in the finish, the wine ends with black raspberry sensations. 88-89 Pts

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

par Neal Martin le 27/04/2012

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

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

par Julia Harding MW le 24/04/2012

Drink 2018-2031
Heavy bottle. 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 55% new oak (less than usual). Deep cherry red. Beautiful restraint and that wonderful, gentle freshness. Gliding tannins, no sweetness, though there's fragrant fruit, and I cannot avoid the word mineral. Very very sublte. Not especially aromatic. Utterly tender and fine. Not powder, not dusty, just so refined. The wine disappears gently on the finish evanescent rather than short. (JH)

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

par James Molesworth le 10/04/2012

Offers a plush, supple, nicely rounded feel, offering notes of creamy plum and cherry preserves, with perfumy spice gliding in on the finish. Still youthfully primal, but there are no angles or austerity here, just pure fruit. Tasted non-blind.—J.M.

Wine Enthusiast

90-92 / 100

par Roger Voss le 06/04/2012

This wine is very warm and rich. It shows spicy fruit with the weight and dark tannins to match. Opulent, juicy and ripe. —R.V

Jamessuckling.com

90-91 / 100

par James Suckling le 01/04/2012

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.