Chateau Cheval Blanc, tastings notes, Bordeaux wines, France

1982 Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
1982 Cheval Blanc : Having tasted this for the second time in two years – also at Chateau La Gaffeliere, in 2003, when it was thoroughly closed – I am convinced that it is (still) a sleeping beauty. Just not ready for drinking yet, in my opinion! A complex nose of cherry and smooth tobacco preceded a slightly closed and discrete palate with the same flavors, though the fruit was more pronounced. A cigar box finish but again not overly expressive.

(Tasted by Panos Kakaviatos)

1999 Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France

1999 Cheval Blanc : deep crimson colour. The nose of 1999 Cheval Blanc is open, relatively smoked, wooded and vanilla with nice fresh fruit (raspberry). On the palate, the taste of 1999 Cheval Blanc is soft and velvety. Beautiful silky tannins. A kind of bitterness appears at middle of the mouth but this wine finally ends up perfectly well balanced. Delicate and elegant structure. I doubt this 1999 Cheval-Blanc will be considered as the blockbuster of the vintage but it's undoubtly a very nice wine to drink today and probably for the next 10 from now (2015). 89/100.

1999 Cheval Blanc (2) - Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France

1999 Cheval Blanc : Purple hue. Nose dominated by toasted oak but well balanced by red fruits. On the palate it is lush, thick, and very sweet. Deep and long with well integrated tannins. I doubt that 1999 Cheval Blanc has the necessary depth to age for decades but its very enjoyable now! 89/100

2000 Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
2000 Cheval Blanc : This wine, somewhat like the Figeac, was closed in comparison to the others, and this is no doubt due to its superior Cabernet component. Still, I found a minty freshness in the mouth with some oak notes that were pleasing – just not as exuberant as many of the other wines. Time in the glass however revealed a silky complexity that made this wine truly lovely, with a very long finish. One participant also exuberantly noted “an espresso nose… and what an espresso! ” 6 out of 12 votes"

(Tasted by Panos Kakaviatos)

2001 Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
2001 Cheval Blanc : very dense dark ruby color. Reticent nose that gradually gave up notes of subtle floral flavours, berry and cedar wood. Accurate and sharp attack. Excellent persistence on a beautiful and pure fruit. Good texture with slightly drying tannins on the finish. 2001 Cheval Blanc should be waited a couple more years to see if 2001 Cheval Blanc can gain in balance. 89/100

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