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Chateau Cheval Blanc

2006
Country
France
Region
Bordeaux
Appellation
Saint-Emilion
UPC
0 15643 64709 3
Red Wine
Verified Stock
1693-06/6PK
Product Ratings
Wine Advocate 97pt

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London.The 2006 Chateau Cheval Blanc is a blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc. It has the most floral bouquet of the four Serie A Grand Cru Classe: an explosion of crushed violets and potpourri, hints of leather and cigar box, the Cabernet Franc clearly lending this complexity and character. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. It feels wonderfully structured and comes with an insistent grip that coats the mouth. This is backward and almost surly, but you have to stand back and admire the precision and arching structure on the mineral-rich finish. Top-dog Saint Emilion? That's for sure.

by Wine Advocate, 2016
Wine Spectator 95pt

Displays lots of milk chocolate, cedar, berry and cappuccino aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins, this is structured and layered for the vintage. Mouthpuckering. Needs time. This is one of the wines of the vintage.

by Wine Spectator, 2009

Features of the Vintage

After a mild and moderately rainy winter, the beginning of the vegetation cycle was very wet, with 173 mm of rain in May, two and a half times the normal amount, and very warm. From mid-June through to the end of July a period of relative dryness set in, while the temperature and rainfall for August were close to normal. There was some rain at the beginning of September followed by an exceptional period of very cool, dry weather from mid-September to mid-October which meant that the harvest was carried out in excellent conditions.
The unsettled weather at the beginning of June resulted in listless flowering, and therefore low yields. At mid-veraison (colour change) there was a fairly long gap between the Merlot (8th August) and the Cabernet franc (14th August).This difference in development continued until picking, and resulted in a staggered harvest. The grapes were picked from 30th September until 17th October, with several interruptions as we waited to harvest each parcel at optimal ripeness. A small crop, an exceptional latter part of the season and impeccably healthy vines produced grapes which were uniquely balanced, very precisely Flavoured, and rich in sugars and anthocyans.
While the quality of the Merlots was very good, rich and complex, the Cabernet Franc was exceptional. In addition, a great homogeneity of the potential quality of the entire crop was noted. The synergy between the two varieties was evident.

Vintage

After a mild and moderately rainy winter, the beginning of the vegetation cycle was very wet, with 173 mm of rain in May, two and a half times the normal amount, and very warm. From mid-June through to the end of July a period of relative dryness set in, while the temperature and rainfall for August were close to normal. There was some rain at the beginning of September followed by an exceptional period of very cool, dry weather from mid-September to mid-October which meant that the harvest was carried out in excellent conditions.
The unsettled weather at the beginning of June resulted in listless flowering, and therefore low yields. At mid-veraison (colour change) there was a fairly long gap between the Merlot (8th August) and the Cabernet franc (14th August).This difference in development continued until picking, and resulted in a staggered harvest. The grapes were picked from 30th September until 17th October, with several interruptions as we waited to harvest each parcel at optimal ripeness. A small crop, an exceptional latter part of the season and impeccably healthy vines produced grapes which were uniquely balanced, very precisely Flavoured, and rich in sugars and anthocyans.
While the quality of the Merlots was very good, rich and complex, the Cabernet Franc was exceptional. In addition, a great homogeneity of the potential quality of the entire crop was noted. The synergy between the two varieties was evident.

Tasting the Vintage

Beautiful ruby-red colour fringed with mauve tints. A wine with a very good intensity of colour. Heady and clean with black fruit flavours dominating. On the palate, the wine is plump and concentrated with a great deal of softness . This signals a balance between concentration and elegance. The finish is lengthy and its freshness prolonged.

Tasting notes

Beautiful ruby-red colour fringed with mauve tints. A wine with a very good intensity of colour. Heady and clean with black fruit flavours dominating. On the palate, the wine is plump and concentrated with a great deal of softness . This signals a balance between concentration and elegance. The finish is lengthy and its freshness prolonged.