Château Cheval Blanc 2019

Absolutely pristine, beguiling aromas of spicy berries and herbs; delicate attack, an almost transcendent evolution over extremely fine-grained tannins, with a smoldering fire only in the lingering finish.

One of the unequivocally great wines of the vintage is the 2019 Château Cheval Blanc, a stunning young Saint-Émilion that wafts from the glass with aromas of wild berries and plums mingled with notions of lilac, pipe tobacco, violets, raw cocoa, licorice, crushed mint and burning embers. Full-bodied, layered and enveloping, it's deep and intense, with beautifully rich, powdery tannins and vibrant flavors. Concluding with a long, saline finish, this rivals the 2016 as the finest Château Cheval Blanc of the decade, and in many respects it might be thought of as the latter vintage's sun-kissed cousin. Bravo to Pierre-Olivier Clouet and his team!

This has loads of dark currant, fig and blackberry preserve notes that are supported by dense waves of loam and warm gravel, all hallmarks of the 2019 growing season. But there's an extra dimension here, thanks to its remarkably lush and fine-grained texture, with endless ripples of tobacco, bay and singed sandalwood and balsam wood through the finish. In the end, it's the combination of power, refinement and expressing an essentially unharnessable vintage that sets this red apart from the pack. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2045. 10,000 cases made.

Released at a 32% discount to 2018, despite volumes being 30% down, this represented a ‘bargain’ for lovers of Cheval Blanc. Produced from 41 of 53 blocks, the grand vin accounted for 82% of production. So fine and concentrated on the nose and palate with notes of dark berry fruit initially before roses and violets appear, tinged with spice, red cherry and orange. Luxurious, luscious tannins on the palate with cooling, mineral and menthol characters to finish. The aftertaste lingers for over a minute.

58% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. 82% of production. Barrel sample. Aromatically a little more reserved than the 2018 at this stage. But ripe, intense and flickeringly floral. Beautifully poised on the palate with a density of fruit and a silky texture of finely matted tannins. Pure, seductive and persistent, the finish long and digestible. A super Cheval Blanc, but 2018 may just have the edge. (JL)

One of the few wines I did not receive a sample of to taste en primeur, it took only a moment to realize this was one of those rare, show-stopping gems that will blow your mind in the years to come. There is a unique, sensual texture here that screams opulence at every turn. The wine’s exotic nature is allowed to show its true character here. The non-stop layers of cashmere-textured fruit provide the perfect setting for all the perfectly ripe black plums, black cherries, blueberries, and blackberries, which are happy to display their gorgeous purity. The polished, silky finish holds your focus for over 60 seconds as it builds and expands. A worthy competitor to the incredible 2018, if you have the ability to purchase this wine, it is going to be a cellar treasure that people will talk about for generations to come. Drink from 2035–2060.

Layered and elegant, with a slight hint of oak and fine spiciness, darker fruit, floral notes of violet, cassis and blackberry. Dense yet already finely rounded, with very polished, glossy tannins adding texture and freshness; digest and savoury with good layers and a very long, suave finish.

Reminding me slightly of the 1990, the 2019 Château Cheval Blanc is a brilliant, brilliant wine from this estate that’s up there with the true greats. It shows the purity, finesse, and elegance of the vintage beautifully yet backs it up with density, concentration, and depth, revealing a stunning nose of red and black currants, tobacco leaf, new saddle leather, and spring flowers, with absolutely perfect ripeness. As complex and nuanced as only Cheval Blanc can be, even at this young age, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, abundant opulence, fat, and sweetness, polished tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's almost in a class all its own. It deserves at least 5-7 years of bottle age and will shine for 30+ years. Hats off to Pierre-Olivier Clouet, who continues to keep this estate at the top of the pyramid in Saint-Emilion!

Concentrated, profound, elegant, fresh, and complex bouquet of blueberries, wild strawberries, pralines, fresh moss, black tea, subtle Bounty. A tightly woven, elegant, multi-layered palate with powerful, refined fruit, plenty of very fine tannins, a concentrated, elegant structure, diverse, compressed aromatics, and a very long, fresh, vigorous finish with abundant lingering flavors. Has room to improve further. 19/20 2027 - 2060

An enticing touch of cigar box straight on the first nose. The precision of this wine is striking, with a flexed, stretched-out core supported by tannins that are creamy yet precise. Depth, power and elasticity, driven through with dark chocolate, slate, campfire smoke, liquorice root, bilberry and blackberry purée. There are inky depths here. 82.5% of overall production in the main estate wine this year. Bottled July 2021, 100% new oak, 82% first wine in this vintage, with a little less Cabernet Franc than usual due to replanting in the vineyard.

The 2019 Cheval Blanc is a blend of 58% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps from the glass with fruity suggestions of kirsch, black cherries, and juicy plums, followed by hints of cedar, tar, and black olives. The full-bodied palate is very structured with firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness supporting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing with epic length and a skip in its step. It's fairly showy right now, but the taut structure will require another 5-7 years (at least) in cellar to relax and offer that next-level experience.

The very distinctive creaminess at mid-palate anchors Cheval Blanc 2019 deeply on tannins of steady intensity and Swiss-watch precision. Everything is in balance. More than 80% of the vines contributed to this 2019, hence a clear dominance of the estate’s Cabernet Franc. The quality of the refined, well-shaped tannins is due to the water reserves stored in the clays during the vine’s synthesis phase. The vigor of the vintage is further enhanced by maturation in barrels with gentle toasts.

A proud nose, full of flair, with a complexity of aromas so tightly interwoven that you can barely tell fruit from flowers, sandalwood from oud. It’s a bouquet to breathe in and out until you’re in a trance. On the palate, a discreet yet majestic explosion of flavors, with wild yet soothing energy. A great wine that concludes with a long, delicious finish.

The youthful, noble-vegetal, floral character of Cheval Blanc’s bouquet speaks volumes about its intentions and ambitions. Such intensity and diversity, with notes of mint, tobacco, and tea leaves. The wine shows exceptional density and great depth, yet without any opulence. It is finely sculpted, precise, straight, and persistent. The acidity provides refreshing energy and a lively tension while enhancing the aromatic expression through to the finish. A powerful, dense Cheval with tight, imposing tannins. What structure and what length. An identity-driven, cerebral wine with the typical Cheval DNA.

Intense, dark-black color. Highly aromatic nose—refined, subtle, noble, complex, gentle, and deep. Swirling reveals wonderful freshness, with a creamy touch and great purity. Precise on the attack, airy through the mid-palate, the wine gains density little by little without losing the finesse of its texture. It rises, bounces, and delivers sensations of Cabernet Sauvignon on gravel, with great elegance. Everything is in place and nothing feels heavy. It’s unspittable! Blend: 58% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Blackcurrants, cassis, graphite and earth on the nose, then changing to roses, violets and berries. Full-bodied with incredible energy of fine tannins and lively acidity. It grows on the palate and escalates to the summit of perfect wine. Very powerful at the end. Holding back and a great finish. Quantity and quality. Menthol. Cool. One of the greatest young Cheval Blancs I have ever tasted. 58% merlot, 34% cabernet franc and 8% cabernet sauvignon. Great finish. Give it time. Try after 2028.

The wine has power. It is dense but with such concentration along with a fine perfumed character from the Cabernet Franc in the blend. The wine's richness is impressive while leaving plenty of room for fruit. This fine wine will age well. Drink from 2026.