This has a little more Cabernet Franc than usual. Intense aromas of dried flowers, spices and blueberries. Full-bodied, juicy and fruity, with a beautiful softness and polish. Goes on for minutes. Best Petit Cheval. The second wine of Cheval Blanc.

The 2009 Le Petit Cheval has a slight more monotone bouquet than 2009 Magrez-Fombrauge. Nicely defined aromas with high-toned blue fruit fusing with blackberry and raspberry notes. It just feels a little static. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, quite Left Bank in style thanks to subtle graphite and cedar notes. Good grip here, fresher than many; the finish displays admirable definition. Once the aromatics open up this could be very fine.

Possibly the finest second wine Cheval Blanc has yet produced, the 2009 Le Petit Cheval is a blend of 35% Merlot and 65% Cabernet Franc. It exhibits more caramelized notes than the grand vin along with a luscious, open-knit, subtle herbaceous component.

This has density and heft, but stays pure and almost accessible now, thanks to its lovely, rounded feel, which allows the plum, fig, steeped black currant, melted licorice snap and loam notes to hang gracefully through the finish, with well-buried acidity.