Chateau Cheval Blanc 2020

Superb aromatics with delicate fruity and floral accents; noticeable elegance from the very first attack, supple in structure, well-balanced, silky tannins, ideal length, harmonious and of particular refinement.

The 2020 Château Cheval Blanc wafts from the glass with aromas of mulberries, plums and cherries mingled with hints of rose petals, licorice, sweet spices and lilac. Full-bodied, broad and voluptuous, it's layered and fleshy, with a ripe core of fruit, sweet tannins and a long, expansive finish. While purists will gravitate toward the purer and more precise and perfumed 2019, the 2020 will appeal to readers who love the richest, most powerful expressions of Château Cheval Blanc.

Very alluring, with a well of dark currant, fig and mulberry fruit flavors that have melded nicely, laced with black licorice, black tea and sweet tobacco notes. Well-defined, with a subtle flash of warm earth at the very end. Remarkably polished for the vintage. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2029 through 2040.

Satisfying, edgy and seductive. The 2019 was perhaps more openly charming at this point, but there is lovely attention to detail here with delicate floral aromas, blue fruit and liquorice aspects on the nose followed by a patina of flavours and textures on the palate. Rich and powerful, clearly concentrated but delivered subtly and carefully, not pushed too far. There's a clarity, precision and purity to the blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, with crushed stone saltiness, clove, aniseed and liquorice root. I loved the 2019 more at this stage but this has excellent potential for long ageing and will no doubt deliver unbridled enjoyment when it's ready.

Lots of blueberries and flowers such as violets and crushed stone. This is very structured and muscular with minerally tannins that run the length of the wine. Very closed. Polished texture that gives it class and presence. This is one for the cellar. 65% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Try after 2030.

The 2020 Cheval Blanc is eternal, seamless and exceptionally beautiful. All the elements are so well put together. Rose petal, blood orange, raspberry jam and cinnamon all take shape in the glass. Above all else, the 2020 Cheval Blanc is a wine of mind-blowing balance. Hints of mocha, raspberry jam, pomegranate and spice emerge with time in the glass. Cheval is quite simply one of the truly great wines of the vintage.

The bouquet of white, red, and purple flowers is elevated by the addition of Indian spices, red and black fruits, and truffles. However, as good as the nose is, it’s on the palate—with its seemingly countless layers of cashmere-textured fruit, refined, silky tannins, lift, and energy—that steals the show. The wine gently caresses the palate seamlessly for over 60 seconds. This is a monumental Cheval Blanc that will age for decades, yet it is sexy, and you will be able to enjoy it young. Drink from 2027–2065.

Graphite, violets, blackcurrant, traces of caramel, maceration tones, yeast, green tea. Carefully crafted grainy tannins, lots of juiciness, a very unobtrusive structure, not too creamy, not too alcoholic, finely integrated acidity, all components from a single mold, aromatically medium-weight but convincing through its delicacy. A Cheval with elegance and sophistication and tactile minerality, gaining tension on the finish.

Great purity and intensity, layers of fresh dark fruit, plum, cassis, detailed and layered with extraordinary density and super-refined tannins, a good sense of freshness and a superbly long finish. Already great, with tremendous potential.

The Grand Vin 2020 Château Cheval Blanc checks in as a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that was raised, as always, in 100% new French oak. As usual with Cheval Blanc, it's primarily about finesse and elegance, as well as complexity, and exhibits a deep purple hue as well as a kaleidoscopic bouquet of sweet red and black fruits, spring flowers, spicy incense, loamy earth, and smoke tobacco. Absolutely flawless on the palate, it's full-bodied, has perfectly integrated oak, ripe, silky tannins, and a gorgeous finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. This powerful, concentrated Cheval Blanc offers pleasure even today (needs lots of air) but warrants 7-8 years of bottle age and will see its 40th birthday in fine form.

Densely interwoven bouquet, immensely complex, with a hint of Tasmanian mountain pepper, wild cherry, dried rosemary, dark chocolate truffle and a beguiling violet perfume. On the royal palate with a cashmere-like texture, cocoa-like tannins, a supportive tannic framework, and a perfectly shaped body. In the concentrated, never-ending finish: black-berry contours, jasmine, profound minerality and regal astringency. Top score! Bravo Pierre Lurton and Pierre-Olivier Clouet.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: (65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) Deep, dense, complex, fresh, elegant, silky bouquet; blueberries, cereal bars, raspberry jelly, currants, cedar, black tea. Densely woven, multi-layered, finely powerful, velvety palate with a finely concentrated, subtly muscular structure; concentrated, diverse, fresh, superb aromatics; lots of very fine tannins; a fresh, powerful, explosive finish with abundant lingering aromas.

(65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) Deep, dense, complex, fresh, elegant, silky bouquet; blueberries, cereal bar, raspberry jelly, currants, cedar, black tea. Densely woven, multi-layered, finely powerful, velvety palate with a finely concentrated, subtly muscular structure; concentrated, diverse, fresh, superb aromatics; a great deal of very fine tannin; fresh, powerful, explosive finish with abundant lingering flavors. 20/20 2028 - 2060

Intense, indelible, with layer upon layer of blueberry, raspberry, pomegranate, fennel, liquorice, crayon, espresso, crushed rocks, just so much character and poise. The driest year at Cheval Blanc since 1959, with 71% of production from the 39ha estate in this wine, technical director Pierre Olivier Clouet. This continues to be bottled as Premier Grand Cru Classé A until the 2022 vintage, following its withdrawal from the ranking, which will make an interesting footnote for collectors I would imagine, but makes zero difference to the brilliance of what is in the bottle.

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!

Reserved at first, shy, like a bookish type buried in his books who doesn’t make the effort to greet you, but who, once you engage with him, reveals a sharp and subtle mind. You detect deep notes of fresh blue fruits, rosebud, and herbal tea. On the palate, it’s the funny, spontaneous conversation that follows. Freshness gives way to rich fruit, which in turn yields to finely grained tannins—gourmet, delectable. A majestic wine you’ll want to come back to again and again.

Deep dark purple-red. Intense, refined, fruity, ripe nose, with lovely black fruit aromas, refreshed by mint. Becomes floral when the glass is swirled. Oh my, grace has taken hold of this magnificent wine, which melts from the very first sip, with a fine, silky richness and keeps gliding over the tongue. From the mid-palate, it tightens gently, bounces back, velvety, with a tannic touch that energizes it and carries it long on the finish. It's wonderful.

97–99. Barrel Sample. Powerful tannins are the hallmark of this dense wine. Its structure sets up the concentrated, dense fruits and impressive freshness that shows all the elements of a great wine. Sure to age, the wine is already showing great quality.