2010 Cheval Blanc
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Tasting notes
A very sweet, almost jammy nose. Very polished an luxurious, with just enough acidity to preserve the fresh charater of the fruit. The length is very impressive and the fruit dense which perhaps at this stage give the impression of a lack of space in the wine. There is a HUGE level of tannin, though it melts well. It finishes dry but the fruit persists throughout. A little perplexing at this stage but there is no doubt that there is a lot of very good material here. The density and tannin level to seem worrisome but there is so much that is good here it deserves the benifit of the doubt. Certainly has the potential to be truly great...certainly made us think!
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeannie Cho Lee MW
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
56% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot. Proud vanilla oak spice on the nose, black cherry and bitter chocolate. Very fine but persistent tannic fuzz, eased by high acid. Lots of compression and severity to the fruit. Still only just emerging from slumber. Quite a way off its peak still, and the tannins seems to be taking their time to resolve. (RH)
The kind of aromatics that tell you this is a concentrated, rich and silky wine without having to take a sip. Expect a brooding 2010 at this point, packed with cocoa bean, liquorice, crushed rocks, smoked earth. So so good but so young - this could be half its 15 years of age, and it is going to take its sweet time to come around, but recognising its quality is effortless. 50% new oak for ageing.
Take your time with this 2010, because even though it had been opened a few hours before we drank it, it only really showed its brilliance at the end of the evening, when it has been slowly softening its tannic grip. The fruit is vivid and powerful, plush damson and black cherry, with velvety tannins, black tea, slate and liqourice, barely stirring out of the gate but so full of promise. 50% new oak.
About the producer
Ch. Cheval Blanc is one the finest producers in Bordeaux. The Saint-Emilion estate’s Cabernet Franc-dominant wines are consistently among the top wines of the vintage.