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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

With apple trees between the vines, chickens, sheep and a few pigs, Cheval Blanc has a sustainable vision of agriculture. The 39 hectares of this legendary estate occupy a prime position on the appellation's sandy-gravel plateau, which is slightly more clayey on its northern flank, near Pomerol. Cheval Blanc is distinguished from its neighbors by its legendary longevity, due to the high percentage of Cabernet Franc. Pierre Lurton, its director since 1991 (he also presides over Château d'Yquem) and his talented teams apply rigor and spirit to perpetuate its inimitable style. 2018, 2019 and 2020 are superb.

Decanter

About the wine:

Pleasing, forward-thinking and seductive. The 2019 vintage was perhaps more overtly charming at this stage, but there's lovely attention to detail here with delicate floral aromas, blue fruits and aspects of licorice on the nose, followed by a patina of flavor and texture on the palate. Rich and powerful, it's clearly concentrated, but delivers with subtlety and caution, without going too far. There's a clarity, precision and purity to the blackcurrant and black cherry aromas, with savory notes of crushed stone, clove, anise and licorice root. I liked the 2019 more at this stage, but it has excellent ageing potential and will undoubtedly provide unbridled pleasure when ready. 2028-2058

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

Originally a simple Figeac tenant farm, Cheval Blanc became an independent property in 1832 when Jean-Jacques Ducasse, president of the Libourne court, bought it and had the present château built. His descendants undertook major works, including drainage, and by the end of the Second Empire, the vineyard had reached its current size (37 ha) and was one of the most renowned in Saint-Émilion. Its Pomerol-style terroir, with gravel and ancient sand over clay, explains the originality of its grape varieties, predominantly Cabernet Franc, complemented by Merlot. The descendants of President Ducasse remained at the head of the estate until it was bought out in 1998 by Bernard Arnault (LVMH) and Albert Frère. The latter appointed Pierre Lurton as general manager and endowed the château with a new winery, built by Christian de Portzamparc.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the domain :

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

About the wine:

The characteristic creaminess of the mid-palate inks Cheval Blanc 2019 deeply with tannin of even intensity and Swiss watchmaker precision. Everything is in balance. Over 80% of the vines produced this 2019, so it's largely dominated by the estate's Cabernet Franc. The quality of the refined, focused tannins is due to the water reserves built up in the clay during the vine's synthesis phase. The vaillance of the vintage is enhanced by ageing in gently toasted barrels.

About the domain :

Against a backdrop of heightened competition between premier grands crus classés, and after a period of neglect (until 2005), the return of the property owned by businessmen Albert Frère and Bernard Arnaud to Saint-Emilion's elite has been a resounding success. A new page is being written on this exceptional sandy-gravel terroir on the edge of Pomerol, with a vineyard that relies on a high proportion of Cabernet Franc, including 8 hectares planted in 1956, giving the grand vin a unique freshness and depth of flavor. Since 2011, vinification has taken place in the new, airy winery designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc. A tall, vast, luminous, elementary and ecological vessel. 55 custom-built, corseted and profiled ivory cement tanks. The "beautiful and useful" tool that captain-director Pierre Lurton and technical director Pierre-Olivier Clouet dreamed of. This spectacular, but not ostentatious, investment follows a vigorous return to viticulture since 2008. With its confirmation as a premier grand cru classé A in the 2012 classification, the land base has expanded. For the first time, 1.40 ha from the annexation of Château Tour du Pin (a mound of clay in perfect continuity with the château's driveway) is included in the grand vin. Never the most powerful, Cheval Blanc is nonetheless capable of offering rare elegance and refinement. These characteristics are found in the last five vintages and justify Cheval Blanc's return last year to the select group of three stars.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Lots of blueberry, violet-like flowers and crushed stone. Very structured and muscular, with mineralized tannins that extend throughout the wine. Very closed. Polished texture gives it class and presence. 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. To be enjoyed after 2030.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

In 2020, Cheval Blanc trades some of its airy character for extra density and gravity. The wine's texture is still magnificently woven, displaying an incredible mosaic of details in its satiny tannic framework as in its aromatic palette, summoning blackcurrant, violet, licorice and eucalyptus. As magnetic as a double bass chord.

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Deep, dark, crimson red. Intense, fine, fruity, ripe nose, smelling of black fruits, refreshed by mint. Becomes floral when the glass is shaken. Ooh, grace has taken hold of this magnificent wine, which melts as soon as it enters the mouth, on a fine fatness and never stops gliding over the tongue. From the middle, it tightens delicately, bounces back, velvety, with a tannic touch that energizes it and pulls it long into persistence. Wonderful. 2032-2065

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

The bouquet of white, red and violet flowers has been further enhanced by the addition of Indian spices, red and black fruits, and truffles. However, as pleasing as the nose is, it's the palate, with its seemingly endless layers of cashmere-textured fruit, refined, silky tannins, vivacity 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's sexy and can be enjoyed young. Drink between 2027 and 2065.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

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