Château Cheval Blanc, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2017

Tasting Note:

Alas, about 30% of the Cheval Blanc vineyards were affected by frost. The vineyard team had to react quickly to this traumatic event. Every frozen vine was marked and pruned a second time to encourage a second generation bunch. The second generation was roughly a month and a half behind the original bud break, but was helped by the beautiful summer weather. In some plots, there were two harvest separated by as much as 16 days. The second generation, although a tiny crop, was perfectly ripe and has been used in the blend of Cheval Blanc and Petit Cheval. There will be approximately 50,000 bottles of Grand Vin produced from a blend of 56% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. About 3% of the final blend comes from second generation fruit. Initially a little subdued, but with aeration aristocratic aromas of violets and cassis emerge. The palate is more pliable with glorious notes of pure raspberry, loganberry, crème de mûre and roses. This is very refined with a delicate complexity, a luxurious texture and layers of detailed fruit. There's something quite cerebral about the 2017 Cheval, it keeps on revealing subtle nuances. This is so engaging with a sappy, salty character, fine boned tannins and mouth-watering finish. Deftly done, superb!