Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend

9.459 ratings
9.520 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
"Odedi"

#MerlotThursday

So a few years ago I started my Merlot Thursday series, where I drink Merlot every Thursday. This is actually the wine that started it all. After watching the movie sideways a few times, I decided to try to get Merlot back in the game.

This wine was on my wishlist for a long long time, and I'm glad I am able to try it, finally.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Showing a beautiful nose with great complexity,

Dry on the palate and elegant.

Showing red and black fruits with earth, wood, spices, peppercorn, coffee, graphites, vegetables and herbs.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great experience. A delicious Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Saint Emilion. Not from the best vintage, but at this level of wine making, it is almost always gorgeous.

Feels young and would continue to age nicely in the next few decades.

Showing great complexity and mouthfeel. I loved the nose much better than the palate.

Robert Parker 93 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.

I had it after 6 hours of airtime. I really wanted to love it even more, but it is what it is. Got to keep it real.

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$700.

#MerlotThursday

So a few years ago I started my Merlot Thursday series, where I drink Merlot every Thursday. This is actually the wine that started it all. After watching the movie sideways a few times, I decided to try to get Merlot back in the game.

This wine was on my wishlist for a long long time, and I'm glad I am able to try it, finally.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Showing a beautiful nose with great complexity,

Dry on the palate and elegant.

Showing red and black fruits with earth, wood, spices, peppercorn, coffee, graphites, vegetables and herbs.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great experience. A delicious Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Saint Emilion. Not from the best vintage, but at this level of wine making, it is almost always gorgeous.

Feels young and would continue to age nicely in the next few decades.

Showing great complexity and mouthfeel. I loved the nose much better than the palate.

Robert Parker 93 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.

I had it after 6 hours of airtime. I really wanted to love it even more, but it is what it is. Got to keep it real.

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$700.

Jul 28th, 2022
Bill Bender

Still very youthful but laser quality fruit, full lush mouth coating tannins, a very regal wine with amazing texture and weight, blackberry liqueur and rich smoky plumb. Will benefit from additional bottle age or a long decant.

Still very youthful but laser quality fruit, full lush mouth coating tannins, a very regal wine with amazing texture and weight, blackberry liqueur and rich smoky plumb. Will benefit from additional bottle age or a long decant.

Nov 29th, 2015
Andy Wedge

tight, young, lots of dark fruit, cassis, big tannin, cocoa and coffee, high acid.

tight, young, lots of dark fruit, cassis, big tannin, cocoa and coffee, high acid.

Nov 15th, 2015
David Singer

Sommelier/Wine Educator LibationEducation

9.0

Classic Cheval, but an excellent for the vintage. Showing a little under ripe Cabernet Franc notes (asparagus), chocolate red fruit, mocha, forest floor, mushrooms in some balsamic.

Classic Cheval, but an excellent for the vintage. Showing a little under ripe Cabernet Franc notes (asparagus), chocolate red fruit, mocha, forest floor, mushrooms in some balsamic.

Oct 26th, 2015
Remi Cohen

Director of Winemaking & Viticulture Cliff Lede Wines

9.6

In maggy. Barely legal

In maggy. Barely legal

Mar 25th, 2015
James Parker Huston, CWE

Sommelier Charlie Palmer

9.6

Pale Rider!

Pale Rider!

Mar 17th, 2015
Ron Siegel

This was still tight & needs more time. Polished showing good balance & length with notes of black fruits, mocha, tobacco, lead pencil & spice.

This was still tight & needs more time. Polished showing good balance & length with notes of black fruits, mocha, tobacco, lead pencil & spice.

Dec 11th, 2019
Sanjoh Woosie

at a bistrot des pont

at a bistrot des pont

Feb 25th, 2019
Ron Siegel

Exotic & opulent showing sweet red fruits, leather, forest floor, tobacco & baking spices.

Exotic & opulent showing sweet red fruits, leather, forest floor, tobacco & baking spices.

Jul 15th, 2018
Alan Viader

Silky and elegant. Very nice right now.

Silky and elegant. Very nice right now.

Nov 5th, 2016