Chateau Cheval Blanc 2021

Intense nose, dark tobacco, tea, black fruit, spicy note; incredibly crisp, fresh, cool expression, classic build, the wine shows poise, silky tannins, very good length. Anyone who enjoys fresh, juicy wines should already take pleasure in this Cheval Blanc.

The 2021 Château Cheval Blanc has turned out beautifully in bottle, and director Pierre-Olivier Clouet even considers it to be superior to the 2020, a preference that I share. 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.

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 that avoids the austerity of the vintage. Great effort. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2040. 6,058 cases made, 462 cases imported.

Smells wonderful, the nose full of milk chocolate and fragranced cherries, so pure and precise. Wonderfully clean and delineated – also has a sense of weight and expanse to the aromas – blueberries and blue flowers. Taut and controlled, this strikes an immediate buzz in the mouth, straight and focused, not much deviation from the core, but this has a nice texture that gives a bounce to the expression. Still young and a bit coiled, but this carries wonderful freshness and a real sense of drinkability. It’s on the light side, some new oak coming out in the spiced edges and liquorice undertone but I like the no-frills nature. Not showing off at all, but giving refined elegance. When it’s ready, it will be a real pleasure to drink.

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. Only 13.3% alcohol. 52% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. For a decade or so, this wine never had so much Cabernet Franc. Needs four or five years to soften. Drink after 2029.

The 2021 Cheval Blanc, the first vintage since 2011 with over half Cabernet Franc, has a very deep color in the glass. The nose is well-defined, with tightly coiled red fruit and iodine scents, plus graphite and a light incense note. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled tannins, unwavering symmetry, and a silky-smooth finish. This is where the pedigree of the vineyards stands out: very harmonious and very deep, with a gentle grip. Yet there is impressive power in this wine, and I suspect it will be one of the slowest to reach maturity in bottle.

Poised between its regal bearing and its sensuous, sexy side, this is a clear contender for wine of the vintage, sidestepping all the pitfalls of the year. This sublime gem leaps from the glass with ease, offering a medley of flowers, spices, red and dark red fruits, tobacco, and mint leaves. On the palate, it delivers a majestic display of vibrant, al dente red fruits and ripe, dark red berries, coupled with firm, cashmere-smooth, polished tannins and a velvety texture of black cherries and plums. It is showing even better in bottle than it did in barrel! The wine is a blend of 52% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, making this the highest percentage of Cabernet in over a decade. The decision to delay harvesting, finishing on October 14, along with low yields of just 28 hectoliters per hectare, are part of the reason the vintage was so successful. Drink from 2029–2060.

Dark garnet with purple reflections at the narrow rim. Tobacco, fine herbal savouriness, dark berry fruit, ripe plums, notes of nougat and marked by fine spicy noble wood. Complex, juicy and silky, fine ripe tannins, good freshness, mineral, chocolate touch on the finish, shows lovely length and balance; certainly has ageing potential.

The Grand Vin 2021 Château Cheval Blanc is unquestionably a candidate for the wine of the vintage. Based on 52% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon (the 2011 comes close to this blend), it has a vivid purple hue as well as 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. While it already offers pleasure, it deserves 4-5 years in the cellar and will shine over the following two decades.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (43% Merlot, 52% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) Deep, elegant, fresh, complex bouquet, raspberry jelly, blueberries, black tea, currants, cedar, pralines. Densely woven, elegant, multi-layered, finely concentrated palate with fine, creamy, fresh fruit, plenty of fine tannin, concentrated structure, powerful, diverse aromatics, very long, powerful, finely creamy finish with many lingering flavors.

(43% Merlot, 52% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) Deep, elegant, fresh, complex bouquet, raspberry jelly, blueberries, black tea, currants, cedar, pralines. Densely woven, elegant, multi-layered, finely concentrated palate with delicate, creamy, fresh fruit, plenty of fine tannins, concentrated structure, powerful, varied aromatics, very long, powerful, finely creamy finish with many lingering flavors. 19/20 2028 - 2060

A blend of 52% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, there were 72,000 bottles produced of Cheval Blanc 2021. It has a deep garnet-purple color and springs from the glass with energetic notes of kirsch, black raspberries, and wild strawberries, followed by suggestions of menthol, lavender, and cedar chest. The medium-bodied palate shimmers with red berry and mineral layers, supported by fine-grained tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long with loads of floral sparkles. So, so pretty!

The 2021 clearly shows its élevage without it being dominant (100% new oak, 16 months of maturation). The fruit notes (mainly black berries) unfold with delicacy and take the lead with aeration, while chalky nuances underscore the freshness. Cheval Blanc 2021 stands out for its finesse, delicacy, and linear profile. It embodies a bespoke character, like the finest lacework. Its vibrancy brings a juicy, mouthwatering touch, while the somewhat firm tannins deliver measured, purposeful power. A wine that shines for its sense of detail and completeness, all the more so in the challenging context of 2021. A great success.

Incredibly dark colour. Intense, powerful nose with ripe fruit. Unprecedented nuances at this age of ink and sandalwood. Supple on the attack, juicy mid-palate, complete and very flavourful, the wine develops with power, sap and fragrance on the finish. It ends nobly, with a surprisingly suave aftertaste. It’s superb. Blend: 52% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Alcohol: 13.25% - pH: 3.61. Yield: 28.5 hl/ha.

We are in an entirely different world of textured tannins and dense fruit compared to most, clearly among the red wines of the vintage. It shows an inky character, cigar box, cassis, blueberry, crushed roses, gunsmoke and flint on the nose, along with powerful yet understated blueberry and damson fruit. This marks the 30th anniversary with Pierre Lurton as director, and the last official year as Premier Grand Cru Classé A—both reasons to firmly put this in the buy camp. Highest percentage of Cabernet Franc since 2011, and the first time using more Cabernet Franc than Merlot in the blend. 100% new oak.

95–97. Barrel Sample. Nearly 60% of the blend is Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this is an impressively structured wine. Power and density are right up front, there are fruit and spice tones along with a fine lift at the end.