In Bond Fine Wine. 2010 Château Cheval Cheval Blanc, Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France. Premier Grand Cru Classé A • Red Bordeaux in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 100/100 (RP). Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Chateau Cheval Blanc occupies a singular place in Bordeaux’s hierarchy. A blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot in nearly equal measure, Cheval Blanc delivers a signature style that marries silk and spice: vivid red-berry and floral aromatics, plush texture, and a subtle graphite-like minerality. On the market, Cheval Blanc rivals the Medoc First Growths and commands some of Bordeaux’s highest prices.
James Molesworth (JM) — 95–98/100 · Wine Spectator, 31/03/2011
Lush and very rounded, with lots of muscle and heft, but also great polish and pose to the gorgeous boysenberry, plum and fig notes. Supercreamy on the finish, with bittersweet cocoa, violet, mint, anise and tobacco in reserve. Tasted non-blind.
Albany Vintners (AV) — 95–98/100 · -, 28/04/2011
56%CF, 44%M aged in 100% new oak. 60% of the crop used here. A very bright nose of berries, earl grey tea and orange peel. Pure with violet fruit, perfume and silky density. Very sensual and unforced. Rich on the attack then build and builds.
Neal Martin (NM) — 95–97/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 27/04/2011 · Drink 2020-2040+
A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, the latter suffering a little coulure (so bunches were cut earlier during the season after veraison to increase homogeneity.) The Merlot were reaching around 14.5% alcohol and the clay/gravel soils inhibited the increased alcohol level at the end. The harvest began on 15th September and finished on 13th October with a major part of the vineyard picked…