France

Ch. Cheval Blanc

Chateau Cheval Blanc Premier Grand Cru Classe A Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Bordeaux

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

The 2023 Cheval Blanc, accounting for 75% of this year's crop, is deep garnet-purple in color. After a little swirling, the nose erupts with an atomic perfume of Morello cherries, wild blueberries, black raspberries, and ripe plums leading to a fragrant undercurrent of rosebud tea, menthol, star anise, and cinnamon stick. The medium-bodied palate is fantastically fresh and graceful, delivering super-fine-grained tannins and just enough tension to support the red, black, and blue fruit layers, finishing on a lingering mineral note. This is magnificent. The blend is 52% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, with pH 3.80.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

(barrel sample)
Ruby red. Elegant nose with violets, roses, mint, blueberries, cassis, blackberries and red currant. Fresh acidity. Elegant and detailed. Cassis, mint, blueberries, blackberries, exotic spice and minerals. Smooth polished tannins. Very long. 97-99p 

Drink from 2040-2060+

Tasting barrel samples can be really tiring and difficult. The wines are not finished and tannins can be rough. That is not the care with Cheval Blanc. Just so smooth, velvety and elegant. I could seriously drink this barrel sample. Just awesome!

Expert

Duft av lyse markjordbær, tranebær, og lyse, men modne jordbær, skogsbær og bjørnebær, krekling, mint, eukalyptus. 

En fantastisk mint-aktig rød trå gjennom hele vinen. En veldig vulgær stil i vinen, av det pene. 

Smak av lyse bjørnebær og plommer. Pen, krydret, stil, samt flotte mint toner. Overraskende lett og feminin.



WSET 1

The 2022 Cheval Blanc is a blend of 53% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon and it has a deep garnet-purple color. It erupts from the glass with an intense perfume of violets, rose oil, and licorice, leading to a vibrant, fruity core of juicy blueberries, fresh blackberries, redcurrant preserves, and raspberry coulis, plus a waft of cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate begins fragrant and opulent, textures and flavors melting in the mouth like Turkish Delight, leading to a generous core of juicy black, blue, and red berry layers, supported by super-fine, silt-like tannins, finishing very long, minerally and refreshing. So graceful, so singular, so Cheval.

A blend of 52% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, there were 72,000 bottles produced of Cheval Blanc 2021. It has a deep garnet-purple color and springs from the glass with energetic notes of kirsch, black raspberries, and wild strawberries, followed by suggestions of menthol, lavender, and cedar chest. The medium-bodied palate shimmers with red berry and mineral layers, supported by fine-grained tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long with loads of floral sparkles. So, so pretty!

Intense, indelible, with layer upon layer of blueberry, raspberry, pomegranate, fennel, liqourice, crayon, espresso, crushed rocks, just so much character and poise. The driest year at Cheval Blanc since 1959, with 71% of production from the 39ha estate in this wine, technical director Pierre Olivier Clouet. This continues to be bottled as Premier Grand Cru Classé A until the 2022 vintage, following its withdrawal from the ranking, which will make an interesting footnote for collectors I would imagine, but makes zero difference to the brilliance of what is in the bottle.

Inside Bordeaux

The 2019 Cheval Blanc is a blend of 58% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps from the glass with fruity suggestions of kirsch, black cherries, and juicy plums, followed by hints of cedar, tar, and black olives. The full-bodied palate is very structured with firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness supporting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing with epic length and a skip in its step. It's fairly showy right now, but the taut structure will require another 5-7 years (at least) in cellar to relax and offer that next-level experience.

The 2018 Cheval Blanc is deep garnet purple in color. It drifts effortlessly out of the glass with scents of black cherry compote, boysenberry preserves, and anise, plus touches of cedar, pencil shavings, and kirsch. Full-bodied, the palate is rich and muscular with firm, grainy tannins and a long, earthy finish. 

Critic Average Rating

Exotic nose with mint, sage, ripe dark fruit, pure cassis, gravel and black cherry no noticeable oak, rather ripe and intense, yet with plenty of class and elegance. The palate is dense and concentrated yet in a somewhat medium body with just muscles and no fat. incredible purity, texture and length. Very harmonious and complete in a more open and accesible style, yet with the classic elegance.

Sommelier

100 - Wine Enthusiast
100 - Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
98 - Wine Spectator
97 - Jeannie Cho Lee
98 - Tim Atkin

Leather, cigar box and undergrowth at the 10 years on mark, gently building in concentration and power, more in the Pomerol than St Emilion camp in this particular vintage. Creamy raspberry and damson puree as it opens, gorgeous balance, studded with bright acidities and pinpoint minerality. Distinctive, white pepper, curling embers, campfire smoke, liqourice root, delicate and lingering. 100% new oak.

One of the best of the lineup, this has supple tannins, nuanced raspberry and redcurrant fruit, with lift and juice through the finish. Still an early drinker with higher acidity than in most years of this wine, but one that is worth seeking out and enjoying, with just a hint of the magic of these soils. 60% 1st wine with the rest divided into 20% Petit Cheval, with 20% declassified.

The 2012 Cheval Blanc is deep garnet-brick in color. Notes of cigar box, Chinese five spice, and plum preserves all leap from the nose, leading to hints of dried cherries, dusty soil, graphite, and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate is both generous and lively, with velvety tannins to support and a long, spicy finish.

The 2011 Cheval Blanc has a deep garnet-brick color. The nose is redolent of tar, fertile loam, licorice, and prunes, giving way to a core of fruitcake, new leather, and black truffles. The palate is full-bodied, rich, and concentrated with earthy nuances coming through on the long finish.

The 2010 Cheval Blanc is deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. Broody to begin, offering wafts of tar, chargrill, and smoked meats, after considerable swirling the nose reveals a fragrant perfume of Morello cherries and violets, with a touch of star anise. The concentrated, full-bodied palate is packed with tightly knit, impactful black fruits, framed by firm, yet plush, tannins and bags of freshness, finishing very long and earthy.

Aromatically open, welcoming and nuanced, closing down slightly in the mid palate as it promises to hunker down for the long haul but already it is clear just what an exceptionally good wine this is. Tasting surprisingly nuanced and balanced next to the monumental 2010 at supper - this has more minerality and lyricism. Soft raspberry fruits and smoked liqourice that remind me of the 2006 but this is far more layered and complex and a brilliant vintage - maybe a better comparison is the 1982 about it in that it felt so approchable at first that it was almost underestimated but keeps on delivering at the top of expectations, with waves of flavours and an easy but powerful grip. 67% 1st wine. I gave this wine 100 points when I tasted it at the 10 years on mark, and I am so happy to report that it continues to delight.

A great moment to begin drinking this, although still young at 15 years old with no rush to get going. Rich berry fruits, huge depth to the black cherry, textured raspberry and bilberry flavours, firm and fresh. Just the beginning of tobacco, fennel, truffle and crushed stone. 3.94ph. A year that really favoured Merlot, and its seductive appeal is fully on display.

A blend of 51% Merlot and 49% Cabernet Franc, the 2005 Cheval Blanc has a deep garnet color. The nose is still so incredibly youthful, soaring out of the glass with notes of juicy black plums, Morello cherries, mulberries, and fragrant soil, plus nuances of rose oil, spearmint, and pencil shavings. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut and energetic, delivering a firm backbone of exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and great tension, finishing long and shimmery.

Mye rød frukt, kjøtt, bra tanniner, elegant og konsentrert, mye power og mye finnesse. På nesen er det rød frukt, litt lær, litt mint. På smaken er det rød frukt, men også litt trøffel. Lang og konsentert ettersmak.

Nuanced supple tannins with saffron, cold ash and violets notes. Extremely charming, this highlights so many of the things that Cheval Blanc does so well - nuance, elegant, precision, flesh, silken fruits with freshly crushed mint and eucalyptus on the finish. 55% 1st wine, 1% press wine with 100% new oak.

A blend of 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Franc, the 2000 Cheval Blanc has a medium garnet-brick color. It explodes with an amazingly complex array of fragrant earth and exotic spice scents, leading to a core of raspberry preserves, cherry cola, dried mulberries, and violets, plus hints of licorice, iron ore, and unsmoked cigars. The palate is gracefully styled and medium-bodied with layer upon layer of fruit, earth, and perfumed spice flavors, framed by silky tannins and beautiful tension, finishing long and minerally. Phenomenal!

The 1999 Cheval Blanc has a deep garnet-brick color. The nose opens with notions of pencil lead, bay leaves, preserved plums, and redcurrant jelly, plus a hint of crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is fresh and well-defined, with lightly chewy tannins and a ferrous finish.

Igjen en elegant vin - fastere i frukten i peer group - pen sødme - sublim balanse - (95)

Part of a crazy lineup of wines at a private supper this year, and this was the glass that disappeared on me almost before I noticed I was drinking it. Layer upon layer of black truffle, white truffle, redcurrant and raspberry fruit, with edges of lemongrass and pomegranate punctuating the rich texture with points of freshness. There are tannins here, offering the most gentle of guidance at this point, and yet you just know this wine has decades still ahead of it. A hot and dry year tha produced a healthy yield of just under 45hl/h. 84% of the production in this wine, harvest 15 to 28 September (matching on 1989 and 1990 in terms of early harvests over the previous 50 years). Underestimated by most critics at the time of release, this is still going strong.

A blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc, the 1989 Cheval Blanc comes from a dry, hot vintage. It has a medium brick color and the nose begins with ferrous wafts of rusty nails, giving way to a core of redcurrant preserves, sweaty leather, dusty soil, and incense, followed by a touch of unsmoked cigars. The medium-bodied palate is elegant, refreshing, and soft-textured, delivering a lifted finish.

Transparent ruby with a garnet rim. Blueberries, cassis, leather and minerals. Fresh acidity. Vibrant and playful with cherries, licorice, crowberries and spice. Polished integrated tannins. Very long.

Drink from now until 2040(?).

Cheval Blanc is one of the most modern wineries in Bordeaux. They have 41 hectares of vineyard located very close to Pomerol with sandy blue clay soil. From Cheval Blanc you have a 20 minute walk to Petrus and less to Figeac. Up to 1838 the vineyards were a part of Chateau Figeac. It was then purchased by the Ducasse family.

Along with Chateau Ausone, Angelus and Pavie, Cheval Blanc is one of the four Premier Grand Cru Classe A in St. Emilion.

In the movie Ratatouille (do see it if you have not) the Restaurant critic Anton Ego orders a bottle of 1947 Cheval Blanc to go with "some fresh, clear, well-seasoned perspective". The 47 is an iconic bottle of Cheval Blanc. Have I tasted the 1947 vintage? Nope, but I just tasted a splendid 1986 Cheval Blanc :)

The 1985 Cheval Blanc has a medium garnet-brick color. It strides confidently out of the glass with mature notes of cigar box, plum pudding, dried figs, and dusty soil, followed by fragrant wafts of jasmine tea and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate offers compelling tension and loads of exotic spice sparks amongst the dried red and black berry layers, textured by soft, powdery tannins, finishing with a persistent minerally whisper.

98 - Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
96 - Wine Spectator
99 - Jeannie Cho Lee

fra Furuholmen auksjonen - perfekt 75 med runde tanniner - ørlite jordlig med mørke bær. Kjølig kjeller vinner alltid.

Wow, sitter fortsatt ved bordet. Skriver mens jeg har smaken på tunga. Fra et trist år for bordeaux så kommer de sterke frem. Korken smuldret med duranden men med tålmodighet så gikk hele ut uten biter i vinen. 

Fløtekonsistens med smak av mørke bær, vanilje og eksellens. Duft av skog, mose og høst. 

Enda rød i fargen (drukket flere viner fra 73 der alle har vært brune). 

Drukket til indrefilet

Fantastisk

Amatør

definisjonen av eleganse. Intet preg av tørket frukt. Sømløs vin med dyp frukt. Raffinert og kompleks. En av de bedre røde bdx på lenge (95+)

Har mer å gå på - mørkere frukt enn 60/50/40 - frisk - strålende syre - pen fruktsødme - delikat krydret (94+) /// Okt. '21: Overraskende tannisk (95)

The 1967 Cheval Blanc has a medium brick color. The nose begins subtle and restrained, offering soft-spoken scents of leather, cast-iron pan, and Indian spices, before revealing a fragrant core of lavender and cherry cola, with a fragrant waft of dried roses. The medium-bodied palate is lively and delicately nuanced, with loads of exotic spices and mineral sparks, textured by powdery tannins, finishing on a lingering mineral note.

kraftfull, fortsatt tanniner, kunne vært mer energisk

fra Furuholmen kjelleren - utsøkt fruktsødme med underliggende mineralitet mot varm grus - mørk eksotisk krydret frukt - sensuell tekstur - strålende flaske (94)

perfekt kork - noe varmere frukt i peer group - svakt røffere tanniner - pent krydret - lang søt finish (96)

perfekt kork - meget elegant - slankere enn 59 og mindre søt - sømløs - perfekt balansrt - (96)

'49 var rikere, fyldigere og viste dypere frukt - en hedonistisk vin med pen friskhet (98+)

16.05.13 på Bagatelle: 1947 Cheval Blanc magnum: Nesen var mildt sagt eksotisk - nesten som første gangen jeg entret et beduintelt i Saudi Arabia i 1993. I munnen merket man definitivt varmen fra alkoholen - ekstrem mocca og sjokolade - etter 30 sekunder gikk vinen over i en mer "elegant" finish - det er syre til å matche motoroljen, men nærmere port kommer man ikke. (96-98) 
// Sep. '20: mye mer elegant enn en magnum på Bagatelle for noen år tilbake - delikat fruktsødme - sublim tanninfølelse mot skifer - rød frukt - ren paprika - raffinert - lang blir årets understatement (99) // Sep. '20: korken kom ut hel - rikerer og mer krydret enn den forrige - dypere frukt, men lavere syre og ikke så kompleks - dog en utsøkt vin (96) // Nov. '20: intens og frisk, mer mot rødfrukt. (95) // Okt '21: fjerde flasken fra den samme kalde norske kjelleren - noe rikere og «ferskere» frukt enn de tre andre flaskene - ørlite volatil - dyp frukt - kledelig spice - røk - sjokolade og kirsebær - støvete tanniner - kommer med luft - de kunne det før  (97)

Mähler-Besse - rekorket på chateauet i 2018 - en godt moden CB - plomme og sjokolade, ikke den mest konsentrerte og noe tørring på finish - men ingen oksidasjon og urenheter - ok lengde

2023	No priceNot available	Extraordinary
2022	No priceNot available	Extraordinary
2021	5 772,40 krNot available	Extraordinary
2020	7 250,00 krAvailable	Extraordinary
2019	11 300,00 krAvailable	Extraordinary

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Ch. Cheval Blanc
Vintages	2023
Country	France, Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Bottle	75 cl

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Sugar	g/l

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