Château Cheval Blanc

Le Petit Cheval St. Emilion Red Bordeaux Blend

9.232 ratings
9.39 pro ratings
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
Red Bordeaux Blend
Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, White Rice, Mushrooms, Pasta, Pork, Salami & Prosciutto, Pungent Cheese, Lamb, Tomato-Based, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Beef, Hard Cheese, Venison
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

So, what do you have after a two-hour 2016 Bordeaux tasting marathon? Answer, a 2005 second wine from a very good vintage and what we recognize as a 1st Growth producer even though it’s not with a choice steak from Alexander’s Steakhouse.

This 05 Petit Cheval is not its little brother but, it’s a close relative.

The nose reveals, ripe, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed black plum, blackberries, plum and baked strawberries. Sweet tarry, anise, graphite, burnt charcoal, limestone minerals, wet clay, crushed dry rocks, touch of pepper, dark berry cola, herbaceous notes, pine sap, eucalyptus, bay leaf, steep black tea, dark red, withering flowers with violets.

The body is; full, round, ruby and lush. The tannins are well rounded with firmness. There is still one to decades of life ahead. The structure and tension are still a teenager. The length & balance just starting to live up to what it can be. Ripe, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed black plum, blackberries, plum, baked strawberries with creamy raspberries haunting the palate. Sweet tarry, anise, graphite, burnt charcoal, limestone minerals, wet clay, crushed dry rocks, touch of pepper, dark berry cola, dark chocolate, light caramel, liquid mocha, light medium spice, herbaceous notes, pine sap, eucalyptus, bay leaf, steep black tea, fresh tobacco, moist clay, dark rich turned earth, dark red, withering flowers with violets. Beautifully round acidity. The glorious, sexy, full, ripe, lush, elegant, extremely balanced finish is delicious and persistent for minutes.

Photos of, the 2016 UGC banner for the US, the old Chateau Cheval Blanc, their newer modern wine making facilities and my Bone in NY Strip with Wasabi Potato Purée. 😋

So, what do you have after a two-hour 2016 Bordeaux tasting marathon? Answer, a 2005 second wine from a very good vintage and what we recognize as a 1st Growth producer even though it’s not with a choice steak from Alexander’s Steakhouse.

This 05 Petit Cheval is not its little brother but, it’s a close relative.

The nose reveals, ripe, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed black plum, blackberries, plum and baked strawberries. Sweet tarry, anise, graphite, burnt charcoal, limestone minerals, wet clay, crushed dry rocks, touch of pepper, dark berry cola, herbaceous notes, pine sap, eucalyptus, bay leaf, steep black tea, dark red, withering flowers with violets.

The body is; full, round, ruby and lush. The tannins are well rounded with firmness. There is still one to decades of life ahead. The structure and tension are still a teenager. The length & balance just starting to live up to what it can be. Ripe, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed black plum, blackberries, plum, baked strawberries with creamy raspberries haunting the palate. Sweet tarry, anise, graphite, burnt charcoal, limestone minerals, wet clay, crushed dry rocks, touch of pepper, dark berry cola, dark chocolate, light caramel, liquid mocha, light medium spice, herbaceous notes, pine sap, eucalyptus, bay leaf, steep black tea, fresh tobacco, moist clay, dark rich turned earth, dark red, withering flowers with violets. Beautifully round acidity. The glorious, sexy, full, ripe, lush, elegant, extremely balanced finish is delicious and persistent for minutes.

Photos of, the 2016 UGC banner for the US, the old Chateau Cheval Blanc, their newer modern wine making facilities and my Bone in NY Strip with Wasabi Potato Purée. 😋

Jan 26th, 2019
Martin G Rivard

An awesome vintage shared by our gracious friends Rodand Madelyne Fink

An awesome vintage shared by our gracious friends Rodand Madelyne Fink

Feb 4th, 2016
Bob Barry

General Manager Winebow

9.8

Thank you BIG time Sal!

Thank you BIG time Sal!

Aug 3rd, 2014
romo

Pedigreed balance and elegance. Can’t discern the 60% cab franc, and that’s too bad.

Pedigreed balance and elegance. Can’t discern the 60% cab franc, and that’s too bad.

Dec 28th, 2023
Anthony D'Agostino

Will look for this again.

Will look for this again.

May 15th, 2018
James Sherrod

Whaaaaaat????

Whaaaaaat????

Jul 29th, 2017
Justin Smith

Eucalyptus and raspberry. Stone and wood. Air was a good partner.

Eucalyptus and raspberry. Stone and wood. Air was a good partner.

Feb 25th, 2017
Nose Reiko

@Orexis

@Orexis

May 24th, 2016
David Langstaff

I want to like this better. Dry tannins. Hoping will integrate with air time. Surprisingl light without much length. Just seems it should be better - especially for '05 and price.

I want to like this better. Dry tannins. Hoping will integrate with air time. Surprisingl light without much length. Just seems it should be better - especially for '05 and price.

Oct 11th, 2014
Meredith Langstaff

Light. A little peppery. Maybe some black current.

Light. A little peppery. Maybe some black current.

Apr 20th, 2014