It took 3 tries in the green harvest to make this magnificent Cheval which is more broody and backward on the nose than usual. But the palate has a wonderfully elegance, dense savory Cabernet France coming to the fore. Very rich, almost decadent at birth (in contrast to the stubborn L'Eglise-Clinet), this is a superb wine in an otherwise "iffy" St. Emilion vintage.
93-95 points – April 2003

(a rather severe 41% selection) Deep ruby-blue color. Pure, discreet aromas of blackberry, violet and bitter chocolate. Very firm and juicy on the attack, with more obvious structure than the Petit Cheval. Then dense, pure and fresh in the mouth, with superb early volume and sucrosity for a young Cheval Blanc. Black fruit and bitter chocolate flavors are at once rich and sharply delineated. Finishes very long, with broad, sweet tannins.

Smoky, earthy, sweet red and black currant, fig, and menthol notes jump from the glass of this dark ruby/plum-hued, medium-weight Cheval Blanc. Possessing sweet tannin, medium body, and undeniable elegance as well as nobility, this beautifully made effort appears slightly superior (at least to my taste) to the more hyped 2003. Interestingly, yields were 27 hectoliters per hectare in 2002, and 30-31 hectoliters per hectare in 2003. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018.

(a roughly 50/50 blend of merlot and cabernet franc): Full, dark ruby-red. Cool, aromatic, slightly medicinal nose combines black fruits, coffee and menthol. Then bright and fresh in the middle; less densely packed than any other post-WWII wine in this tasting, but fruity and pliant, with a silky texture. Finishes long, with substantial building tannins and a whiplash of fresh red berries and herbs. Much better than the weak vintage would lead you to believe.

Mid crimson with a pale rim. Fragrant and rather seductive. Long, well integrated. Intense. Lots of fire power in reserve. Throat warming but still quite tight. Bright fruit. This wine was admittedly put into one of those giant wine glass (Graal?) decanters and not stoppered overnight (silly me). It did not retain its fruit but was battling circumstances. (JR)