2014 Cheval Blanc

Medium garnet colored, the 2014 Cheval Blanc is still looking very youthful and wearing a bit of puppy fat, sporting gregarious red and black cherries notes with hints of oolong tea, wilted roses and dusty soil. Medium-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and plenty of freshness supporting the lively fruit, it finishes on a lingering perfumed note. LPB

The 2014 Cheval Blanc does not convey the same sophistication and panache as the Angélus. This is more rugged and earthier, quite powerful with pencil lead and sous-bois aromas developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, plenty of blackberry laced with cedar, mint, fruitcake and white pepper notes. It finishes with some style and it feels very long on the finish. I just think that unlike Angélus this is going to need several years to really knit together. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. - vinous.com, March 2018

This has dreamy aromas already, with notes of Lapsang souchong tea, smoldering cigar and cold charcoal wafting up from the core of dense yet supple currant, fig and blackberry preserves. A loamy edge thumps through the finish, giving this an addictive, head-bobbing bass line. Best from 2026 through 2040. James Molesworth

Aromas of strawberries, flowers and rose petals. Medium to full body and such beautiful polish and finesse. The texture is remarkably silky. It’s a wine all in elegance and harmony. Such length.

75% production. 45% Cabernet Franc, 55% Merlot. All the terroirs of the property but especially the gravel. Bright ruby, gentle and rather muted. Very cool. No drama! Gentle and rather balletic. Some burgundian force towards the end of the palate. Lots to chew on and rather different from the old style. A flight from drama! Drink 2024-2036
17.5/20 – JancisRobinson.com, April 2015

A wine of exceptional finesse, the 2014 Cheval Blanc lifts from the glass with captivating aromatics and sculpted red-fleshed fruit, all with the extra kick of acidity and overall freshness that are such a signature of this vintage. The 2014 is bright, finessed and persistent. It will almost certainly put on weight in bottle. I have a feeling something special is developing here.

Quality 934 | Brand 995 | Economics 885 | buzz brand
Quality: Predicted life of 15 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group, which averages 10 years Brand: Strong restaurant presence, featuring on 40 of the world's top wine lists, including Garibaldi Economics: More traded at auction than its peers, its top 5 vintages having seen 2,982 75cl equivalent bottles traded in the past year Production: Lower yields than its peer group average of 33 hl/ha

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017