2006 Petit Cheval
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Tasting notes
Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Le Petit Cheval has a fully mature, slight fungal bouquet with touches of wilted rose petal and burnt toast. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, still quite firm in the mouth considering its age, with tobacco-tinged red berry fruit and plenty of spice on the finish. The palate seems to have aged in better fashion than the nose. Drink over the next 4-6 years. Tasted January 2016.
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Average Score
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More reviews and scores
Rather luscious-looking shaded blackish ruby. Very much in the same flattering-but-dry idiom as the grand vin. Fragrant hint of ink overlays. Lovely, fresh, well-balanced, interested wine! Nothing forced – just more ready than the grand vin, though still with a few tannins in evidence. Nothing is lacking. Quite long (one of the first) and tastes very luxurious. GV ? (JR)
Looks quite evolved at the rim. Interesting, well-balanced, biscuity nose. Good freshness, and very much more than a hint of terroir here. Bravo! This is recognisably St-Émilion rather than being an attempt at modern red wine. Appetising and while dry on the end, it's not horribly drying! Really good stuff. (JR)
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc. Deep crimson. Pretty ripe and round with no hint of green on the nose, a little inky and weedy and severe but only at the very end. Slightly dry tannins. Only just fruity enough – a little scrawny. Definitely lightweight. Fresh greenness. Fades a bit on the finish. (JR)
About the producer
Ch. Cheval Blanc is one the finest producers in Bordeaux. The Saint-Emilion estate’s Cabernet Franc-dominant wines are consistently among the top wines of the vintage.