Château Cheval Blanc 2018 – 1er Grand Cru Classé A

Bordeaux Total René Gabriel:

(54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon) Fein konzentriertes, komplexes, frisches, tiefgründiges Bouquet, Heidelbeeren, Erdbeeren, Pralinen, Schwarztee, fein Lakritze. Dichtverwobener, vielschichtiger, eleganter Gaumen mit dichter, cremiger Frucht, sehr viel feinem Tannin, konzentrierter, feiner, kräftiger Aromatik, konzentrierter, zart muskulöser Struktur, sehr langer, frischer Abgang mit süssen Rückaromen. Kann noch zulegen. Trinkreife 2026-2050. Bewertung 19/20. -Bordeaux Total, André Kunz-

Robert Parker Wine Advocate:

The 2018 Château Cheval Blanc is a blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a 3.75 pH and 14.5% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs considerable swirling and air to releases fragrant notes of stewed plums, juicy black cherries and ripe blackberries with underlying suggestions of damp soil, black truffles, rose oil and cardamom with wafts of underbrush and iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate is densely packed with rich black fruits and loads of earthy accents, framed by super firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness to balance, finishing with amazing length and a beautiful array of floral and mineral sparks. Thirty-three plots contributed to this wine, out of the forty-three in production. Of the rest, five went into Petit Cheval and five into bulk. It will need a good 6-7 years at least to really start to strut its stuff and should cellar for a further 30 years or more. Drink Date 2027-2057. Rating 98+/100. -Lisa Perrotti-Brown-

Vinous:

The 2018 Cheval Blanc is dazzling. Creamy, supple and inviting, the 2018 is endowed with phenomenal balance. The tannins and overall structure are imposing, and yet the richness of the fruit and perfect ripeness of the tannin really stand out. In 2018, Cheval is a bit richer than is often the case, but that is not at all a bad thing. I am struck by how much freshness and energy the 2018 has. Hints of lavender, spice and licorice add shades of nuance, but it is the wine's overall sense of harmony that leaves the strongest impression. A precise counterpoint of fruit richness and finesse makes for a truly unforgettable Cheval Blanc. Drink Date 2026-2068. Rating 98+/100. -Antonio Galloni-

falstaff.com:

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Feiner Nougat, unterlegt mit süßen Gewürzen, reife schwarze Beerenfrucht, reife Pflaumen, zart nach Orangenzesten. Kraftvoll, zeigt eine enorme Extraktsüße, feste, tragende, vollreife Tannine, große Komplexität und Süße, zeigt enorme Frische und Eleganz, bleibt minutenlang haften. Bewertung 100/100. -falstaff.com, Peter Moser-

James Suckling:

Love the floral character to the aromas of dark fruit, such as blueberries and black cherries. Red and black licorice, too. The full-bodied palate starts slowly and then expands with super polished, searing tannins that lead you up the palate into a place of grandeur. Lightly chewy at the end. Such great purity and presence here. 6% cabernet sauvignon in the blend with franc and merlot. Try after 2028. Rating 99/100. -JamesSuckling.com-

Adrian van Felsen - vvWine.ch:

(54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Alkohol): Dichtes Rubin, jugendlicher Glanz. Tiefe noble Nase, feine Gewürznote, sehr viel Floralität, Veilchen, getrocknete Rosen, ein Hauch Tabak, dunkle Kirschen, sehr komplex, zum Eintauchen. Im Auftakt weich, mild, fast harmlos, breitet sich dann aus, zeigt einen mittleren bis kräftigen Körper, die dunkle, reife Frucht wird getragen von sehr fein gewobenen Gerbstoffen, aromatisch im Abgang mit Pflaumen und etwas Weihnachtsgewürzen, endet ausgesprochen langanhaltend auf eine süsse, eingemachte Frucht. Ein eindrücklicher, kräftiger Cheval Blanc. Trinkreife 2025-2050. Bewertung 97/100. -Adrian van Velsen, vvWine.ch-

WineEnthusiast.com:

The first thing that strikes about this wine is its massive density. The second is the richness of the structured Cabernet Franc that is such an important element in the blend. Weight is balanced by the intense fruits and amazing freshness of a wine that has such concentration. This wine will age for years. Don't touch it before 2027. Rating 98/100. -WineEnthusiast.com, Roger Voss-