Château Cheval Blanc, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2020

Name: Château Cheval Blanc, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion
Brand: Château Cheval Blanc
Price: 2828.72 GBP

Available Vintages

all 1996 2011 2014 2020

justerini & brooks tasting note

Not tasted by Justerini & Brooks. The aromas are typical of a warm vintage. Black fruit mingles with notes of garrigue and pepper. The minty freshness holds the aromatic ensemble well. The attack is opulent. The power and density of the wine are remarkable, and the mouth lingers thanks to a rich and full tannin structure. The wine lengthens as it tightens to an impressive finish. Merlot 65%, Cabernet franc 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%. - Pierre-Olivier Clouet, Château Cheval Blanc.

critic reviews

98/100Neal Martin,Vinous

The 2020 Cheval Blanc has such a pretty, floral bouquet that you will instantly be smitten: very well defined and extremely pure with an almost Burgundian allure. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins and a cashmere texture. There's not an edge to be found on the persistent and graceful finish. Captivating. Mesmerizing. How many more adjectives do you need? Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2065

date of review 11/2024

96/100William Kelley,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2020 Chateau 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 Chateau Cheval Blanc.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2055

date of review 04/2023

98/100Lisa Perrotti-Brown,The Wine Independent

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!

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2060

date of review 03/2023

100/100Jane Anson,Inside Bordeaux

Intense, indelible, with layer upon layer of blueberry, raspberry, pomegranate, fennel, liqourice, 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.

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2050

date of review 02/2023