Château Cheval Blanc
Le Petit Cheval St. Emilion Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
I opened this on my birthday (it seemed apropos). Like its big brother (sister/horse-er?), it is a St-Émilion Grand Cru…and I tried the 2021, which, omg, I feel bad I have committed so much wine infanticide in my life…this is good now but shows SO much promise for age-ousity (new wine adjective, adverb?) Made of 60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. Blackberries, tobacco, slight violet notes and toasty cedar on the nose initially, heavy twirling teases out hints of red plum. The palate starts earthy, broadening across the mid-palate to reveal juicy, juicy cassis (red and black) and a touch of dried vines that reads as enriching, not drying—inching further towards perfume on the finish. The tannins are the melt-in-your-mouth type—they make themselves known and then relax. I loved this wine. Give it air if you open it now, lots of air and twirl it like it’s the belle of the ball, but ideally, give it a little more time. I’m not sure when it will peak, but it should continue to evolve favorably over the years.
I opened this on my birthday (it seemed apropos). Like its big brother (sister/horse-er?), it is a St-Émilion Grand Cru…and I tried the 2021, which, omg, I feel bad I have committed so much wine infanticide in my life…this is good now but shows SO much promise for age-ousity (new wine adjective, adverb?) Made of 60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. Blackberries, tobacco, slight violet notes and toasty cedar on the nose initially, heavy twirling teases out hints of red plum. The palate starts earthy, broadening across the mid-palate to reveal juicy, juicy cassis (red and black) and a touch of dried vines that reads as enriching, not drying—inching further towards perfume on the finish. The tannins are the melt-in-your-mouth type—they make themselves known and then relax. I loved this wine. Give it air if you open it now, lots of air and twirl it like it’s the belle of the ball, but ideally, give it a little more time. I’m not sure when it will peak, but it should continue to evolve favorably over the years.
Aug 30th, 2024
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. 😋
2015. Tasted blind, tasting group. My 3rd, group's 1st place. Hints of cat pee. Oxidative. Not quite clean. Caramel and melon. Complex. Tart. $109
2015. Tasted blind, tasting group. My 3rd, group's 1st place. Hints of cat pee. Oxidative. Not quite clean. Caramel and melon. Complex. Tart. $109
Jul 20th, 2018The nose reveals, ripe, slightly baked & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, strawberries haunt the high nose & cooked rhubarb. Forest floor, elegant, soft, understated dark spices, hints of wild mushrooms, steep fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry clay & top soil, dry river stone, cedar, tobacco leaf, soft, used leather, fresh red flowers, violets and dark withering floral bouquet.
The body is full, round, creamy, lush and glides effortlessly over the palate. The tannins are about 55% resolved, dark and still a little sticky & tarry. It hasn’t hit its peak. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a good place but, another 3-5 years of patience will definitely be rewarded. Fruits are ripe, slightly baked & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, strawberries haunt the high nose & cooked rhubarb. Forest floor, elegant, soft, understated dark spices, hints of wild mushrooms, herbaceous notes, mint, steep fruit tea, limestone minerals, crushed dry rock powder, dry clay & top soil, dry river stone, dry stems, cedar, tobacco leaf, soft, used leather, beautiful florals of fresh red flowers, violets, lavender and dark withering floral bouquet. The acidity is nice but off from the better Le Petit Cheval vintages. The finish is still more earth dominate than fruit but nonetheless enjoyable and persistent.
Better with food (steak) than on its own. 3 hour decant.
Photos of, the original Chateau, new cylinder cone style stainless tanks, barrel room and the new modern addition to the Chateau in complete modern contrast to the historic Chateau.
The nose reveals, ripe, slightly baked & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, strawberries haunt the high nose & cooked rhubarb. Forest floor, elegant, soft, understated dark spices, hints of wild mushrooms, steep fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry clay & top soil, dry river stone, cedar, tobacco leaf, soft, used leather, fresh red flowers, violets and dark withering floral bouquet.
The body is full, round, creamy, lush and glides effortlessly over the palate. The tannins are about 55% resolved, dark and still a little sticky & tarry. It hasn’t hit its peak. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a good place but, another 3-5 years of patience will definitely be rewarded. Fruits are ripe, slightly baked & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, strawberries haunt the high nose & cooked rhubarb. Forest floor, elegant, soft, understated dark spices, hints of wild mushrooms, herbaceous notes, mint, steep fruit tea, limestone minerals, crushed dry rock powder, dry clay & top soil, dry river stone, dry stems, cedar, tobacco leaf, soft, used leather, beautiful florals of fresh red flowers, violets, lavender and dark withering floral bouquet. The acidity is nice but off from the better Le Petit Cheval vintages. The finish is still more earth dominate than fruit but nonetheless enjoyable and persistent.
Better with food (steak) than on its own. 3 hour decant.
Photos of, the original Chateau, new cylinder cone style stainless tanks, barrel room and the new modern addition to the Chateau in complete modern contrast to the historic Chateau.
Nice blackberries, black cherries, black plum, soft spice. Reviewing the 2010 vintage.
Nice blackberries, black cherries, black plum, soft spice. Reviewing the 2010 vintage.
Apr 29th, 2016Great time to drink this, I thought it'd be over the hill. 1989 lives on...
Great time to drink this, I thought it'd be over the hill. 1989 lives on...
Apr 13th, 2016
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