Cheval Blanc 2007

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé A

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Tasting Notes

The 2007 Cheval Blanc has a refined bouquet with scents of red berry fruit, leather, iron filing and orange rind, perhaps a little more advanced than some of its Saint Emilion peers, but still attractive. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin on the entry. This is a "stocky" Cheval Blanc, with the Cabernet Franc component really forming the backbone to this wine, imparting bell pepper and spice box notes towards the grippy finish. I think it might have peaked a couple of years ago, so drink now and over the next 15 years. Tasted February 2017.

Score: 92

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-2030 30 June 2017

Tasted blind at the 2007 Bordeaux horizontal in Southwold. Very broody and peppery on the nose: ripe Cabernet Franc in excelsis, very fine definition - this has to be Lafleur. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, gritty and tertiary flavours, a touch of spice, almost curmudgeonly towards the finish - but that would be Lafleur! Hints of chestnut and cooked meat towards the finish, this remains a more masculine, Left Bank style of Cheval Blanc but it certainly has class. Tasted January 2011.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 November 2011

The Cheval Blanc has a deep garnet/purple colour. The nose is reticent at first, it definitely needs time so wait 3 minutes and it unfurls some attractive earthy aromas with tobacco becoming ever-stronger with time. The palate is very intense, superb acidity and what I really like about this year’s Cheval is the tension in the wine (a while since I mentioned that at en primeur.) This Cheval Blanc has a sense of urgency that I adore. Very well defined on the finish – masculine, almost Cabernet Sauvignon in quality but I think this is one of the few 2007’s with long-term potential. Great wine.

Score: 93 - 95

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2008

A strong effort in this vintage, the evolved, perfumed, purple-tinged 2007 Cheval Blanc offers complex aromas of menthol, cedarwood, mulberries, and black currants. Medium-bodied with beautiful fruit, sweet tannin, and a heady finish, this lovely wine should drink well for 10-15 years.

Score: 91

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2025 30 April 2010

Starts off with loads of fresh herbs that turn to black licorice and sweet blackberry on the nose. Full-bodied, with a big, soft, velvety tannin structure. Long and caressing, with wonderful texture. Really builds on the palate. So delicious already. Best after 2012. 4,250 cases made.

Score: 91

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 31 March 2010

Has gorgeous aromas already, with plum, sweet tobacco, violet and a little coffee. Medium-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a long finish. This is 30 percent of the harvest. 60 percent Cabernet Franc and 40 percent Merlot.

Score: 89 - 92

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2008

55% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot. Selection of the grand vin was limited by the amount of good Merlot available. They made only one third of the usual volume. Quite a long harvest. They usually pick early but had to wait to get full ripeness. More complex than Petit Cheval and lovely freshness and minerality but the difference between Petit Cheval and Cheval Blanc seems much less than in some more dramatically successful years. Cool and calm. Malted milk. Maybe not really really dramatic. Quality of the fruit of 2004 but with softer tannins. So mellow! From 1998, Cheval have made significant amounts of a third wine which they bottle and sell within LVMH companies. I’d like to taste it.

Score: 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2013-2021 10 April 2008

The trademark elegance is there in the bouquet which shows a poise and freshness of fruit (55% Cabernet Franc in the blend). The palate also shows smoothness and suavity of texture with a crisp tannic edge but the finish is just a little less polished than the rest. Drink 2013-2020.

Score: 17

Decanter, - Maturity: 2013-2020 08 April 2008

Voluptuous nose of rich earth, smoke, plums and cassis, vanilla chocolate very noble. Supple very soft and round texture with underlying power and fruit intensity. Tannins very neat and ripe. Lots of structure and a very fresh, very long finish.

Score: 91 - 93

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2008