Chateau Cheval Blanc Saint Emilion 1th Grand Cru A Classe 2019

Chateau Cheval Blanc Saint Emilion 1th Grand Cru A Classe 2019

Prior to the 2022 vintage, this wine was classed as Premier Grand Cru Classe A.

Critic tasting note: (2019 vintage)

"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!

One of Bordeaux's most complex terroirs, Cheval Blanc sits on the site of an ancient river delta, with (to generalize) clay-rich soils in the lower-lying parts where rivulets once flowed and gravel and sand elsewhere. This complexity is reflected, of course, in the resulting wine, but also in how it is farmed and made, with thoughtful use of cover crops according to soil type and parcel-by-parcel vinification. A concerted effort is being made, moreover, to bring life back to the vineyard, with hedges of native species to act as wildlife corridors, and fruit trees planted among the vines. The same attention to detail that's applied in the vineyards, for example with regard to developing and testing an in-house massal selection, is applied in the cellar, where cooperage trials are notable for their exigence. All of that shows in the glass. On my most recent visit, technical director Pierre-Olivier Clouet and I tasted the 2019 in the context of the last 10 vintages of Cheval Blanc, and it stood out even in such illustrious company, with—to my palate—2016 its only plausible rival for the title of Cheval Blanc of the decade. Readers with the requisite disposable income won't want to miss it." - Reviewed by: William Kelley, Robert Parker The Wine Advocate (100/100)

"One of the few wines I did not receive a sample of to taste in barrel, 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 wines exotic nature is allowed to show its true character here. The non-stop layers of cashmere textured fruit is 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 talk about for generations to come. Drink from 2035-2060. 100 Points" - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (100/100)

"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." - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (97/100)

"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." - James Suckling

"Tasted blind. Peppery, interesting nose with a light suggestion of (attractive) herbaceousness. Really fills the mouth with ripe, gorgeous fruit. Goes its own way. Luscious but structured too. Very long." - Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com

Drinking Window

2027 - 2060