2001 Château Cheval Blanc St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend

9.3

#MerlotThursday

So a few years ago I started my Merlot Thursday series, where I drink Merlot every Thursday. This is actually the wine that started it all. After watching the movie sideways a few times, I decided to try to get Merlot back in the game.

This wine was on my wishlist for a long long time, and I'm glad I am able to try it, finally.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Showing a beautiful nose with great complexity,

Dry on the palate and elegant.

Showing red and black fruits with earth, wood, spices, peppercorn, coffee, graphites, vegetables and herbs.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great experience. A delicious Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Saint Emilion. Not from the best vintage, but at this level of wine making, it is almost always gorgeous.

Feels young and would continue to age nicely in the next few decades.

Showing great complexity and mouthfeel. I loved the nose much better than the palate.

Robert Parker 93 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.

I had it after 6 hours of airtime. I really wanted to love it even more, but it is what it is. Got to keep it real.

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$700.

Jul 28th, 2022

Bill Bender

9.5

Still very youthful but laser quality fruit, full lush mouth coating tannins, a very regal wine with amazing texture and weight, blackberry liqueur and rich smoky plumb. Will benefit from additional bottle age or a long decant.

Nov 29th, 2015

Andy Wedge

9.2

tight, young, lots of dark fruit, cassis, big tannin, cocoa and coffee, high acid.

Nov 15th, 2015

David Singer

Sommelier/Wine Educator LibationEducation

9.0

Classic Cheval, but an excellent for the vintage. Showing a little under ripe Cabernet Franc notes (asparagus), chocolate red fruit, mocha, forest floor, mushrooms in some balsamic.

Oct 26th, 2015