2012 Château Cheval Blanc
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Tasting notes
Black fruit shoots from the glass, building in waves with sweet black cherry and currant juice. Moreish, if still extremely young, this wine is clearly built for the long haul. Its dense and impenetrable tannins reveal a firm spine of liquorice and tar. There is boundless complexity in the glass, re-surfacing with dark plums and ripe, decadent fruits.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Cheval Blanc has a lovely bouquet with raspberry coulis, hints of marmalade and just a touch of espresso, nicely detailed though not intense. The palate is medium-bodied with a strict entry. This is quite backward and tight, lightly spiced with a touch of sour cherry and cracked black pepper on the finish. This is a delicious, well-crafted Cheval Blanc. A second bottle demonstrates just a little more backbone and persistence. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.
Tasted blind. Mid crimson with a smudgy rim. Appetising, slightly saline nose. Lots of energy here and well-managed tannins. A complete, vivid, dry (not sweet; not drying) wine with a little Cabernet influence. Ch Cheval Blanc? (JR)
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.