Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend

9.317 ratings
9.111 pro ratings
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
Red Bordeaux Blend
Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, White Rice, Mushrooms, Pasta, Pork, Salami & Prosciutto, Pungent Cheese, Lamb, Tomato-Based, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Beef, Hard Cheese, Venison
Top Notes For
Jay Kline

I never would have anticipated drinking my birth year of Cheval Blanc out of a Solo cup yet, here we are. The ‘81 is ruddy still; deep garnet color with some browning towards the rim and loads of sediment. The nose shows some of the telltale green-ness of vintage but everything has found harmony: the fruit has blossomed and structure has integrated. Dark fruited with tobacco, dried purple flowers, mushrooms, herbs and soft eastern spices. Charming! No particular rush to drink these but lovely now.

I never would have anticipated drinking my birth year of Cheval Blanc out of a Solo cup yet, here we are. The ‘81 is ruddy still; deep garnet color with some browning towards the rim and loads of sediment. The nose shows some of the telltale green-ness of vintage but everything has found harmony: the fruit has blossomed and structure has integrated. Dark fruited with tobacco, dried purple flowers, mushrooms, herbs and soft eastern spices. Charming! No particular rush to drink these but lovely now.

Sep 28th, 2024
Lee Lightfoot

Great showing from an undervalued year. Red fruit tobacco cedar iron blood savory spice in a great drinking window.

Great showing from an undervalued year. Red fruit tobacco cedar iron blood savory spice in a great drinking window.

Dec 23rd, 2021
Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.0

Excellent wine and drinking very well today. It's definitely peaked but still fresh

Excellent wine and drinking very well today. It's definitely peaked but still fresh

Dec 17th, 2015
Jake Perdie

Owner Beach & Vine Wines & Spirits

8.8

1981 Cheval Blanc in a 375ml. Cork was intact. Opening up slowly...to aroma of wintergreen and licorice along with subtle barnyard and Brett. Licorice coming through again. It still has grippy tannins and spicy earth notes with slight dark fruit.

1981 Cheval Blanc in a 375ml. Cork was intact. Opening up slowly...to aroma of wintergreen and licorice along with subtle barnyard and Brett. Licorice coming through again. It still has grippy tannins and spicy earth notes with slight dark fruit.

Feb 18th, 2015
Lee Lightfoot

Birth year love

Birth year love

Dec 9th, 2014
Matté

Manager The Wine Cellars

9.5

Wonderful wild berry fruit, autumn leafs, deep and mysterious, espresso coffee, bitter cherry, wet tabaco leaf, a salty kale note, very attractive. In the mouth this is full, almost sweet but slightly dries tabacco and cherry fruit, soft, dainty, very attractive, lithe and alive. A great wine!

Wonderful wild berry fruit, autumn leafs, deep and mysterious, espresso coffee, bitter cherry, wet tabaco leaf, a salty kale note, very attractive. In the mouth this is full, almost sweet but slightly dries tabacco and cherry fruit, soft, dainty, very attractive, lithe and alive. A great wine!

Dec 2nd, 2014
Gregory Fulchiero

Peaking now - delicate cedar cigar box and white pepper - some cranberry in there

Peaking now - delicate cedar cigar box and white pepper - some cranberry in there

Sep 20th, 2013
Ben Mar

Still great! With home made BBQ

Still great! With home made BBQ

Oct 7th, 2018
Clark Beaty

The winner in my book of a friendly CB tasting last night. The 81 has beautiful balance, layers of complexity, excellent mouth feel. Took several hours to open and started with a sulfur nose which once gone left a very nice CB.

The winner in my book of a friendly CB tasting last night. The 81 has beautiful balance, layers of complexity, excellent mouth feel. Took several hours to open and started with a sulfur nose which once gone left a very nice CB.

Feb 20th, 2016
Ben Mar

Way to celebrate Eme's 3rd birthday. Pity she couldn't have any. One of the best wines you could ever have. #81 a great year!

Way to celebrate Eme's 3rd birthday. Pity she couldn't have any. One of the best wines you could ever have. #81 a great year!

Mar 21st, 2015