The Château Cheval Blanc 2005 has an intense bouquet, one that is more complex than Ausone with a slight marine influence infusing the blackberry and raspberry fruit, hints of wilted violet and cassis surfacing with time an joining the chorus line.. The palate is beautifully balanced with filigree tannin. It feels linear at first and then fans out marvellously with a bravura finish that lacquers the mouth. There is clearly quite brilliant precision here, impressive length and poise with a touch of salinity on the finish. What a spellbinding Cheval Blanc, a Saint Emilion that is just going to get better and better with each passing year.

– eRobertParker.com, Feb 2015

Served double blind, there was no doubting the quality here. The show nose, with its floral, black plum, earth, herb, dark cherry and tobacco scents was easy to find. But today, much of the palate is held in reserve, and not showing its opulent, decadent fruit. Another 5-8 years of cellaring will allow this to really come alive.

Dark, a little browning at rim; sweet, fresh, gently oak-caramel tinged raspberry and cassis fruit, an early bouquet; beautiful balance, full, concentrated, very finely tannic and with a wealth of remarkably fresh fruit; rich, sweet, fleshy Cheval with a wonderful definition; mouthcoating, close grained and racy in quality, and with great aromatic length. Hugely satisfying, generous yet fresh Cheval Blanc. Drink 2025-55+

The 2005 from Cheval Blanc is a quintessentially elegant, beautiful, deep bluish/ruby-colored wine from St.-Emilion, with raspberry, blueberry, and floral notes, impressive density, great precision, freshness and purity. Full-bodied, but extremely light on its feet, I don’t mean to gush, but it is super-intense, rich and just so meticulously crafted! This is another fabulous wine and a perfect expression for this vintage. It is difficult to forget the gorgeous blueberry and raspberry fruit, full body, sweet tannin, a multi-layered texture, and purity and palate presence of this stunning wine. Drink it over the next 20 years. P.S. In 2005, this was 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #219, Jun 2015)

The 2005 Cheval Blanc has been nothing less than magical on two separate occasions. A wine of breathtaking nuance and sophistication, the 2005 Cheval dazzles right out of the gate. With a few hours of aeration the aromatics blossom and the wine is explosive in every dimension. Espresso, rose petal, mint, blood orange and incense all open as the 2005 shows off its magnificence and pedigree. Bright saline underpinnings convey energy, tension and brilliance. Cheval Blanc is perhaps not as immediately seductive as some of the other top 2005s, but its all there. In spades. I would give it a few more years to unwind.