2024 Château Cheval Blanc Premier Grand Cru Classé A

Robert Parker - 94-96

A blend of 48% Cabernet Franc, 48% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2024 Château Cheval Blanc is one of the stars of the vintage. Unwinding in the glass with notes of minty berries and plums mingled with violets, cigar wrapper and rose petals, it's medium-bodied, suave and complete, with a cool, layered core of fruit, beautifully integrated tannins and a long, aromatic finish. Pierre-Olivier Clouet and his team conducted an aggressive green harvest and also, exceptionally, used densimetric sorting to mitigate heterogenous maturity between and within bunches (a consequence of a protracted flowering), accepting losses to rot in pursuit of full maturity. Yields were 39 hectoliters per hectare at harvest, but some 34% of that was eliminated between sorting and press wine (which is never retained at Cheval Blanc). Of what fermented, however, 70% ended up in the grand vin.

James Suckling - 96-97

So succulent and long on the compacted palate, this shows just enough clean ripe berries as well as cedar and chocolate. This has polished, energizing tannins with a lovely and thoughtful drive, the light austerity giving the wine a push in the finish. Only 12.8% alcohol. A blend of 46% merlot, 48% cabernet franc and 6% cabernet sauvignon.

Decanter - 95

Strawberry and red berry fragrance, a touch herbal, milk chocolate, florality with blackcurrant and cherry. Smooth and supple, this has a softly chalky, almost creamy charm with blue fruits on the palate. Light weight and delicate for sure, but the tannins are extremely well incorporated giving this a round frame. Finessed, not too tight at all, relaxed. More vertical acidity behind that pushes the flavours forward. Layered and complex with the saltiness coming in on the finish. It’s easy to drink and super refreshing. Classic but with charm rather than tension and too much coolness. Really balanced but still nuanced on the finish, this is multi-layered. I like this a lot. 3.61pH. Densimetric sorting. 70% grand vin production. Vinified 28hl/ha.