Château Cheval Blanc St-Emilion 2020 - 1er Grand Cru Classé A

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

With apple trees nestled among the vines, chickens, sheep, and a few pigs, Cheval Blanc has a sustainable approach to agriculture. These are just some of the assets of this legendary 39-hectare estate, which occupies a prime location on the sandy-gravel plateau of the appellation, with slightly more clay on its northern flank, towards Pomerol. Cheval Blanc stands out from its neighbors thanks to its legendary longevity, due to the high percentage of Cabernet Franc in its blend. Pierre Lurton, its director since 1991 (he also presides over Château d'Yquem), and his talented teams demonstrate rigor and ingenuity in perpetuating its inimitable style. The 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages are superb.

Decanter

About wine:

Pleasant, avant-garde, and seductive. The 2019 vintage may have been more openly charming at this stage, but there is a beautiful attention to detail here with delicate floral aromas, blue fruits, and hints of licorice on the nose, followed by a patina of flavor and texture on the palate. Rich and powerful, it is clearly concentrated, but it delivers with subtlety and caution, without going too far. There is clarity, precision, and purity in the aromas of blackcurrant and black cherry, with salty notes of crushed stone, clove, anise, and licorice root. I liked the 2019 better at this stage, but it has excellent aging potential and will undoubtedly provide unbridled pleasure when ready. 2028-2058

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Originally a simple farmstead in Figeac, Cheval Blanc became an independent property in 1832 when Jean-Jacques Ducasse, president of the Libourne court, purchased it and built the current château. His descendants undertook major works, particularly drainage, and by the end of the Second Empire, the estate had reached its current size (37 hectares) and was among the most renowned in Saint-Émilion. Its terroir, similar to that of Pomerol with ancient gravel and sand on clay, explains the originality of its grape varieties, dominated by Cabernet Franc and complemented by Merlot. The descendants of President Ducasse remained at the helm of the estate until it was bought in 1998 by Bernard Arnault (LVMH) and Albert Frère. The latter appointed Pierre Lurton as general manager and provided the château with a new winery, designed by Christian de Portzamparc.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

The characteristic smoothness in the mid-palate deeply marks Cheval Blanc 2019, with tannins of consistent intensity and Swiss watchmaker precision. Everything is in balance. More than 80% of the vines produced this 2019 vintage, which is therefore largely dominated by the estate's Cabernet Franc grapes. The quality of the refined, well-structured tannins is due to the water reserves built up in the clay during the vine's synthesis phase. The vintage's vigor is reinforced by aging in gently toasted barrels.

About the estate:

Against a backdrop of increased competition between the premier grands crus classés, and following a period of neglect (until 2005), the return of businessmen Albert Frère and Bernard Arnaud to the Saint-Émilion elite has proved sensational. A new chapter is being written on this exceptional sandy-gravelly terroir on the edge of Pomerol, with a vineyard that relies heavily on Cabernet Franc, including 8 hectares planted in 1956, which gives the great wine a unique freshness and depth of flavor. Since 2011, vinification has taken place in the new, airy cellar designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc. A tall, vast, luminous, elemental, and ecological vessel. Fifty-five custom-made, corseted, and contoured ivory cement vats. It is the "beautiful and useful" tool that captain-director Pierre Lurton and technical director Pierre-Olivier Clouet had dreamed of. This spectacular but unostentatious investment follows a vigorous overhaul of the vineyard since 2008. With its confirmation as a Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the 2012 classification, the estate's land base has expanded. For the first time, 1.40 hectares from the annexation of Château Tour du Pin (a clay hill in the perfect extension of the château's driveway) have been included in the grand vin. Although never the most powerful, Cheval Blanc is capable of offering rare elegance and refinement. These characteristics can be found in the last five vintages and justify Cheval Blanc's return last year to the exclusive club of three-star wines.

James Suckling

About wine:

Lots of blueberries, flowers such as violets, and crushed stone. This wine is very structured and muscular, with mineralized tannins that extend throughout the wine. Very closed. Polished texture that gives it class and presence. This is a wine intended for cellaring. 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Best enjoyed after 2030.

Terre de Vins

About wine:

In 2020, Cheval Blanc trades some of its airiness for extra density and gravity. The wine's texture is still beautifully woven, offering an incredible mosaic of details in its satiny tannic structure and aromatic palette, evoking blackcurrant, violet, licorice, and eucalyptus. Magnetic like a double bass chord.

Jean-Marc Quarin

About wine:

Deep, dark red and purple. Intense, refined, fruity, ripe nose with lovely black fruit aromas, refreshed by mint. Becomes floral when swirled in the glass. Wow, this magnificent wine is full of grace, melting on the palate with a refined richness that glides effortlessly across the tongue. From the mid-palate onwards, it delicately tightens, bounces back, velvety, with a touch of tannin that energizes it and gives it a long finish. It's wonderful. 2032-2065

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About wine:

The bouquet of white, red, and purple flowers is further enhanced by the addition of Indian spices, red and black fruits, and truffles. However, as pleasant as the nose is, it is the palate, with its seemingly endless layers of cashmere-like textured fruit, refined and silky tannins, liveliness, and energy, that steals the show. The wine delicately caresses the palate for over 60 seconds. This is a monumental Cheval Blanc that will age for decades, but it is sexy and can be enjoyed young. Drink between 2027 and 2065.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About wine:

Great purity and intensity, layers of fresh black fruit, plum, and blackcurrant, detailed and layered with extraordinary density and truly refined tannins, a pleasant sensation of freshness, and a superbly long finish. A wine that already shows great potential.