France

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Cabernet Franc

Ch. Cheval Blanc

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

Bordeaux

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

We are in an entirely different world of textured tannins, and dense fruit character compared to most, clearly among the red wines of the vintage. Showing an inky character, cigar box, cassis, bluberry, crushed roses, gunsmoke and flint nose along with powerful but understated blueberry and damson fruits. The 30th anniversary with Pierre Lurton as director, and the last official year as Premier Grand Cru Classé A - both things that put this firmly in the buy camp. Biggest percentage of Cabernet Franc since 2011, and the first time to use more Cabernet Franc than Merlot in the blend. 100% new oak.

Inside Bordeaux

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!

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Aroma av kirsebær, vanilje, drops, tyttebær, lær, kardemomme, anise, 

Perfekt balanse, fin konsetrasjon, elegant, kompleks, savner litt mer body, cab franc blir ikke bedre enn dette

Poeng 96-97

WSET 2

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 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 Cheval Blanc has more Merlot than usual as some of the young Cabernet Franc that would normally be used was not suitable this year but the Merlot was outstanding! It has a deep purple-black color and a pH of 3.7. The nose is very closed and tight to begin, needing a lot of swirling to coax out notes of plum preserves, black cherry compote, and blueberry pie, followed by suggestions of pencil shavings, clove oil, candied violets, cast-iron pan, and fertile loam, with a waft of wild sage. The medium to full-bodied palate is locked-up tight, with loads of layers, bound with a firm frame of grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and earthy. It will need a lot of time!

An enticing touch of cigar box straight on the first nose. The precision of this wine is striking, with a flexed, stretched out core supported by tannins that are creamy but precise, Depth, power and elasticity, driven through with black chocolate, slate, campfire smoke, liquorice root, bilberry and blackberry puree. There are inky depths here. 82.5% of overall production in the main estate wine this year. Bottled July 2021, 100% new oak, 82% 1st wine in this vintage, with a little less Cabernet Franc than usual due to replanting in the vineyard.

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

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.

Seductive, rich flavours, far more creamy in its fruit expression than many of the top Left Banks in the 2012 vintage, and yet also higher in fresh acidities, giving a lovely push-and-pull contrast. Persistent, with sage and white pepper spice, this is a nuanced and sculputed wine, full of personality and grace. Not the depth of the truly great vintages at Cheval such as the 2010 or 2016, but this is one of the wines of the tasting, with layers of flavour that will take decades to fully unwind. 100% new oak.

Solbær, lyse bjørnebær, sorte og røde plommer, paprika, grønnaktig spice, krydder, pepper, hint av anis, lakris, pene integrerte eiketoner.

Smak av blåbær, røde plommer, og noe sursøt solbær. Veldig elegant på smak, fin konsentrasjon, med fin lengde.

Smakt hos Chateau Cheval-Blanc.

Expert

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!

An appetisting, delicate balance between rich berry fruit and clear tertiary earth, smoked cinammon and cold ash notes, matched by a colour that remains vibrant but is beginning to show some bricking around the edge. The tannins are supple, integrated, and well-placed, with the precision of the estate. Overshadowed by the 1998, and 2000, and yet in a difficult year it was this corner of St Emilion, together with the big names of Pomerol, that fought for the title of wine of the vintage, mainly because they were able to ripen and be picked before the rains. An abundant year in terms of yield, coming in at around 50hl/h. 10% press wine, 1999 Cheval Blanc was aged in 100% new oak barrels. 52% 1st wine, 3.46ph.

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

Mørke bær, fløteaktig konsistens. Hinter av lær og pepper. Mest fantastiske vinen jeg har drukket (smakt første gang i 2019) 


Amatør

A legendary year where Cheval was among wines of the vintage Still full of life even if the tertiary notes are domiant, with truffled spice, tobacco, cocoa and cinammon, touches of saffron and raspberry puree but with an incredible freshness on the finish for a wine that is now 32 years old. The tannins are so finely spun at this point that you barely get any resistance from them, and yet a gentle power and sense of confidence is still unmissable. Generous and so moreish. Overall it was a great Pomerol year and Cheval is famously located right next door to this appellation and on similar soils - you can look to Trotanoy and Petrus for other wines from this vintage that are knocking it out of the park right now. Rainfall was 25% below average for the region, but the yield was up at an extremely generous 50hl/h.

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.

Sommelier

Starts out with cooling waves of cold ash and mint leaf, suspended for a few moments before unrolling to reveal warmer campfire, liqourice, raspberry puree, white pepper and a blast of white truffle. Fully open, welcome and ready for sharing its pleasures, but the tannins are still cradling the fruit, and this is just so moreish, hard to resist. The generous yields that were typical of 1982 meant Cheval saw a production of 54.3hl/h. Harvest September 20 to October 2, Jacques Hebrard director and owner, with Gilles Pauquet consultant winemaker and cellar master the legendary Gaston Vaissière, who worked at the estate from 1943 to 1986.

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

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.

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)

'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	kr 508,38Not available	Extraordinary
2020	kr 638,51Available	Extraordinary
2019	kr 995,19Available	Extraordinary

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Ch. Cheval Blanc
Vintages	2021
Country	France, Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Bottle	75 cl

Alcohol	13 %
Acid	5,3 %
Sugar	< 3 g/l

Packaging	Glass
Cork type	Naturkork
Selection	Bestillingsutvalget
Wholesaler	Belmonte Beverage Group As
Carrier	Skanlog AS