Cheval Blanc 2004

St Emilion, First Growth

Download the full wine list:
Excel version
PDF version

  • GBP Price: £2900.00  per Case
  • Action: [Add to shopping basket]
  • Size: Bottle (75cl)
  • Quantities:0  Case -  6  Bottles
  • Units: 6
Scores:
Wine Advocate Wine Spectator Burghound Jancis Robinson.com International Wine Cellar
90 - - 17 - 18 90
Tasting Notes:

Eighty thousand bottles of 2004 Cheval Blanc were produced from a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Subtle herb, menthol, cranberry, black currant, and licorice aromas emerge from this dark ruby/plum-colored wine. It is medium-bodied and elegant with plenty of sweet fruit, but not a lot of weight or intensity. The complexity and nobility of Cheval Blanc’s gravelly terroir is apparent in this delicate, subtle St.-Emilion. Give it a few years to develop additional aromatics, and drink it over the following 12-15.

Score: 90 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2010-2025

Pretty dark crimson. Low key, but convincing scent. Actually surprisingly animal on the nose, then a little raw on the palate. Although this is not tarted up, I'm not really convinced about this wine. Rather awkward - does it show the weaknesses of the vintage a bit too obviously, or perhaps this is just a teenage stage?

Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2013-2022

Good bright ruby-red. Subdued but pure aromas of plum, flowers, licorice, menthol and Asian spices. Suave on entry, then dry and tight in the middle; extremely backward and shut down. Most impressive now for its finesse of texture. But today there's little sign of the fleshiness the wine showed in the spring after the harvest. Lock this one away for a while and forget about it. This vintage has more cab franc than merlot. (90+ points)

Score: 90 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

I had high hopes for this Cheval Blanc out of barrel, perhaps a return to form? I still think this is a very fine Saint Emilion although it has not quite fulfilled the promise it initially showed. A very deep ruby/garnet colour. The nose seems to be quite backward with the Cabernet Franc component in the driving seat, aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, dark chocolate and iron rust. Good definition. The palate displays firm tannins, a rather 'edgy' Cheval Blanc, quite tight and bashful; minerally and hints of burnt toast on the surprisingly dry finish. I will be more parsimonious with my score, but something tells me that it could put on weight over the next 5-6 years. Drink 2015-2025+ Tasted November 2008. (92+ Points)

Score: 92 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com Maturity: 2015-2025+