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2021 Château Cheval-Blanc

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased upon release

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RATINGS

98James Suckling

The aromas of currants and flowers with hints of stones and sandalwood are enticing. Medium- to full-bodied, with an impressive structure of polished yet intense and focused tannins that run the length of the wine. Both the acidity and tannins play off each other, giving a punchy character. A classic Cheval.

97The Wine Advocate

Wafting from the glass with aromas of mulberries and cherries mingled with incense, iris and rose petals, framed by a deft touch of new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a velvety attack that segues into a rich, concentrated mid-palate framed by sweet, powdery tannins and concluding with a long, penetrating, rose-inflected finish.

96Wine Enthusiast

...impressively structured wine. Power and density are right up front, there are fruit and spice tones along with a fine lift at the end.

96Decanter Magazine (points)

Incredible aromatic complexity on the nose, just wow, the beautiful bitter dark chocolate, blackcurrant, blackberries, fragrant violets and roses, coffee, toffee, caramel, smoked earth, liquorice and tobacco...wows on the palate too giving succulence, freshness and juiciness balanced by integrated acidity and a backbone of spice... Perfume continues on the palate also, the soft fragrance giving the nuance while the satin tannins coat the mouth with bite and chew.

96Jeb Dunnuck

...gorgeous aromatics of black raspberries, spring flowers, cassis, freshly sharpened pencils, and damp earth. Medium to full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, and incredibly elegant, it has plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish.

95Vinous / IWC

The nose is well-defined with tightly coiled red fruit and iodine scents, graphite and light incense aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled tannins, an unerring symmetry and a silky smooth finish...very harmonious and very deep, with gentle grip.

93Wine Spectator

Polished and inviting in feel, offering notes of dark cherry and plum puree infused with black tea, followed by persistent echoes of warm stone, violet and bay through the lengthy finish. Lacks the density of a classic, but displays a seamless feel...

17+ Jancis Robinson

Fragrant and floral with a hint of mint, the same returning on the palate. Focused and precise, the fruit juicy and the plentiful tannins finely grained. Low-key but elegant and refined.

PRODUCER

Château Cheval-Blanc

Château Cheval Blanc is a Premier Grand Cru Classe A of St.-Emilion. Cheval Blanc won medals at prestigious international exhibitions in London and Paris in the mid-19th century and those medals are still depicted on Cheval Blanc bottle labels. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that among the most famous wines of Bordeaux, “Cheval Blanc probably has the broadest window of drinkability. It is usually delicious when first bottled, yet it has the ability in the top years to gain weight and last.” Parker also notes that Cheval Blanc typically includes more Cabernet Franc than other Bordeaux, another possible key to its unique style. Located in St.-Emilion, the château includes 91.4 acres of vineyards planted in 58% Cabernet Franc and 42 % Merlot. The average age of the vines is 45 years. Some 100,000 bottles of Château Cheval Blanc are produced each year. The Managing Director of the estate is Pierre Lurton, a distinguished winemaker and estate director who also is President and CEO of Château d'Yquem.

REGION

France, Bordeaux, St.-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is on the east side of the Dordogne River. At 13,400 acres it is one of Bordeaux’s largest appellations, and perhaps its most picturesque. It is also home to what has been called “the garagiste” movement of upstart, tradition-defying winemakers who produce artisanal wines in styles that are unconventional for the appellation. The village of Saint-Émilion dates from the middle ages and it sits on low hills, surrounded by ancient walls. Like its neighbor Pomerol, Saint-Émilion was not included in the famous Bordeaux classification system of 1855. But a century later a ranking system was put in place, and unlike the classification system for the Medoc, the Saint-Émilion system is reviewed every ten years, meaning that estates can be upgraded or downgraded. There are three rankings: Grand Cru Classé, Premier Grand Cru Classé B and Premier Grand Cru Classé A, with the final ranking being the best. Such legendary Saint-Émilion estates as Châteaux Ausone and Cheval-Blanc are Premier Grand Cru Classé A, along with Châteaux Pavie and Angélus, both added to the classification in 2012. Wines in this appellation are primarily Merlot, mixed with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

VINTAGE

2021 Château Cheval-Blanc