Chateau Cheval Blanc

The 2011 Cheval Blanc is one of the more plump, opulent and sexy Cheval Blancs made over recent vintages, and its forwardness, lusciousness and complexity seemingly suggest this wine is on a fast evolutionary track. The wine exhibits a dense ruby/purple/plum color, a medium to full-bodied opulence, a sumptuous mid-palate (atypical for the vintage), and a lush, heady finish. It is a super, complex, evolved Cheval Blanc that can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years. Bravo!

Somewhat reminiscent of their brilliant 1998, the 2011 Cheval Blanc has turned out to be a top-notch success. Its deep garnet/plum/purple color is followed by hints of blueberry confiture intermixed with raspberries, mocha, damp forest and a hint of mint. Exhibiting a velvety, opulent texture along with considerable class and flesh as well as sweet tannin, this flavorful, forward 2011 should drink beautifully for two decades or more. The harvest at this estate lasted from September 6 through October 1 (for the Cabernet Franc).

The Cheval Blanc is a blend of 52% Cabernet Franc and 48% Merlot picked from 6th September finishing on 2nd October. The bouquet is reticent at first and so I allow the sample to warm a little in the glass over five minutes. It unfurls nicely to offer a classic Cheval Blanc nose with the Cabernet Franc exhibiting those floral aromas, more dried rose petal than say violets. It is a slightly aloof nose, not one that comes running to you like the 2009 or 2010. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, slightly chalky tannins. It is well balanced with a fine tannic backbone, imbued with a sense of symmetry that Cheval Blanc has been honing in recent vintages. It displays fine minerality, remaining strict and linear towards the finish, although this may flesh out a little during maturation. A comparatively foursquare Cheval Blanc, one that will repay considerable ageing. Tasted April 2012.

This is very concentrated for the vintage with lots of blueberry character and new wood. It's full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. This is a little full-throttle, with loads of fruit, but it will come together nicely with bottle age. Better than the 2010. Try in 2017.

A beautiful nose of ripe black fruits such blackberries, as well as cocoa, black truffle and mint. Full body with a solid core of very refined tannins that lasts for minutes. Very refined texture, especially for the vintage. 57% cabernet franc and 43% merlot. Try after seven to eight years.

A really beautiful wine with super silky tannins with chocolate, spice, berries and spices. Full body, with super polished tannins and a long, long finish. The first wine from the new winery of Cheval. Very precise. Very polished. Cabernet Franc gives the quality.

The final blend of the 2013 Cheval Blanc is 53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot. It is a light- to medium-bodied, but stylish, perfumed, complex wine exhibiting hints of forest floor, raspberries and underbrush in a gentle, nicely textured style that builds incrementally in the mouth. Attractive fruit and substance give the wine more completeness than many of its peers. Administrator Pierre Lurton compares it, in a positive manner, to the style of the 2001, but I do not think it has quite the richness of that vintage. Nevertheless, this is an early-maturing, easygoing Cheval Blanc to drink in its first 10-12 years of life.

Cheval Blanc began their harvest on September 26 and, because of the tropical humidity and disease pressure, finished quickly.

The 2013 Cheval Blanc, a blend of 49% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Cabernet Franc (and that is the correct blend!), is darker in color than the 2013 Le Petit Cheval. It has a fragrant bouquet with raspberry preserves, wild strawberries and hints of truffle from the Cabernet Franc - one of the most pleasurable you will find in this vintage. The palate is smooth on the entry with sappy red berry fruit, nicely judged acidity, harmonious and lilting in style with good body and density on the finish. There is a huge difference between the deuxième and grand vin this year. Enjoy this fine Cheval Blanc over the next 10-15 years.

The Cheval Blanc 2013 is a blend of 52% Cabernet Franc and 48% Merlot, representing around 60% of the total production. It has a complex bouquet, introverted at first with pure black, mineral rich fruit that feels as if it is holding everything back for later. The palate has commendable purity considering the growing season - certainly with no sign of greenness. It might lack a little flair, but it is very focused with fine tension on the linear finish. Whilst this might be construed as a conservative Cheval Blanc, the addition of all the parcels in the blend has created a very well balanced, engaging Saint Emilion, one that might deserve a higher score post-bottling.

This is has a very beautiful structure and length for a 2013. Full to medium body, ultra fine tannins and a long and lively finish. Impressive. Racy and refined. Tight still. Better in 2018 but pretty now.

Seductive. This is incredibly floral with violets, raspberries and hints nutmeg. Full to medium body, with a pretty density and freshness. Silky and refined. Velvety wine. Creamy. Attractive tannin backbone. Fascinating Cheval Blanc. Subtle. Reminds me of 1971 or a baby 2001. 52% cabernet franc and 48% merlot.