Château Cheval Blanc St-Emilion 2020 - 1er Grand Cru Classé A

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

With apple trees growing among the vines, along with chickens, sheep, and a few pigs, Cheval Blanc embraces a sustainable approach to agriculture. These are all assets for the 39 hectares of this legendary estate, which occupies a prime location on the appellation’s sandy-gravel plateau—slightly clayier on its northern slope, toward Pomerol. Cheval Blanc stands out from its neighbors for its legendary longevity, thanks to the high percentage of Cabernet Franc. Pierre Lurton, its director since 1991 (he also presides over Château d’Yquem), and his talented teams demonstrate rigor and ingenuity in perpetuating its inimitable style. The 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages are superb.

Decanter

About the wine:

Pleasant, forward-thinking, and alluring. The 2019 vintage may have been more overtly charming at this stage, but there is a beautiful attention to detail here, with delicate floral aromas, blueberries, and hints of licorice on the nose, followed by a rich tapestry of flavor and texture on the palate. Rich and powerful, it is clearly concentrated, yet it reveals itself with subtlety and restraint, without going overboard. There is clarity, precision, and purity in the aromas of blackcurrant and black cherry, with savory notes of crushed stone, clove, anise, and licorice root. I preferred the 2019 at this stage, but it has excellent aging potential and will undoubtedly provide unbridled pleasure when it is ready. 2028–2058

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Originally a simple farmstead in Figeac, Cheval Blanc became an independent estate in 1832 when Jean-Jacques Ducasse, president of the Libourne court, purchased it and had the current château built. His descendants undertook major improvements, particularly drainage work, and by the end of the Second Empire, the estate had reached its current size (37 hectares) and was ranked among the most renowned in Saint-Émilion. Its terroir, of the Pomerol type with gravel and ancient sand over clay, explains the uniqueness of its vineyard composition, dominated by Cabernet Franc and complemented by Merlot. The descendants of President Ducasse remained at the helm of the estate until its acquisition in 1998 by Bernard Arnault (LVMH) and Albert Frère. They appointed Pierre Lurton as general manager and provided the château with a new cellar, designed by Christian de Portzamparc.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

The distinctive smoothness in the mid-palate is deeply characteristic of the 2019 Cheval Blanc, supported by tannins of consistent intensity and Swiss-watch precision. Everything is in perfect balance. Over 80% of the vineyard’s vines contributed to this 2019 vintage, which is thus largely dominated by the estate’s Cabernet Franc. The quality of the refined, well-structured tannins is due to the water reserves stored in the clay soils during the vine’s growth phase. The vintage’s strength is further enhanced by aging in lightly toasted barrels.

About the estate:

Against a backdrop of intensifying competition among the First Growths, and following a period of neglect (up until 2005), the return of the estate owned by businessmen Albert Frère and Bernard Arnaud to the Saint-Émilion elite has been nothing short of spectacular. A new chapter is being written on this exceptional sandy-gravel terroir on the edge of Pomerol, with a vineyard that relies heavily on Cabernet Franc—including 8 hectares planted in 1956—which gives the grand vin a unique freshness and depth of flavor. Since 2011, winemaking has taken place in the new, airy winery designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc. A tall, vast, luminous, minimalist, and eco-friendly structure. Fifty-five custom-made ivory-colored cement vats, reinforced and contoured. The "beautiful and useful" facility that Captain-Director Pierre Lurton and Technical Director Pierre-Olivier Clouet had dreamed of. This spectacular yet unostentatious investment follows a vigorous overhaul of viticulture since 2008. With its confirmation as a First Growth in the 2012 classification, the estate’s landholding has expanded. For the first time, 1.40 hectares from the annexation of Château Tour du Pin (a clay hill directly extending from the château’s driveway) have been incorporated into the grand cru. Though never the most powerful, Cheval Blanc nevertheless proves capable of offering rare elegance and refinement. These characteristics are evident in the last five vintages and justify Cheval Blanc’s return last year to the exclusive three-star club.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Plenty of blueberries, floral notes like violets, and crushed stone. This wine is very structured and robust, with mineral-driven tannins that carry through the entire finish. Very closed. A polished texture that gives it class and presence. This is a wine meant for cellaring. 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Best enjoyed after 2030.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

In 2020, Cheval Blanc trades a bit of its airy character for added depth and gravitas. The wine’s texture remains beautifully woven, revealing an incredible mosaic of nuances in both its silky tannic structure and its aromatic palette, evoking blackcurrant, violet, licorice, and eucalyptus. As magnetic as a double bass chord.

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Deep, dark red and purple. An intense, refined, fruity, ripe nose, fragrant with black fruits and refreshed by mint. Becomes floral when the glass is swirled. Wow, this magnificent wine is full of grace; it melts on the palate from the very first sip, with a refined richness that glides effortlessly across the tongue. From the mid-palate onward, it tightens delicately, bounces back, velvety, with a touch of tannin that energizes it and carries it long into the finish. It’s wonderful. 2032–2065

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

The bouquet of white, red, and purple flowers is further enhanced by notes of Indian spices, red and black fruits, and truffles. However, as pleasant as the nose may be, it is the palate—with its seemingly endless layers of cashmere-like fruit, refined and silky tannins, and lively energy—that steals the show. The wine delicately caresses the palate for over 60 seconds. This is a monumental Cheval Blanc that will age for decades, yet it is sexy and can be enjoyed young. Drink between 2027 and 2065.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Exceptional purity and intensity, with layers of fresh black fruit, plum, and blackcurrant, presented in intricate, layered notes with extraordinary depth and truly refined tannins, a refreshing mouthfeel, and a superbly long finish. A wine that already shows great potential.