Château Cheval Blanc 2014

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2014 Cheval Blanc is a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc and 55% Merlot, picked from 19 September until 8 October. It has a very succinct, almost understated bouquet, here a mixture of red and black fruit, cold limestone and crushed rose petals (the latter observed when the wine was in barrel). It is not a set of aromatics that go out and grab your attention, rather the sophistication creeps up on you. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin. Unlike the Deuxième Vin, there is real structure and backbone here, a gentle but insistent grip in the mouth. It errs towards black instead of red fruit, intermingling with sage and cumin, then segueing into a precise finish with a long, lingering ferrous finish (à la Pomerol!), finally a hint of oyster shell on the aftertaste. It is one of the most subtle Cheval Blancs that I have tasted in a long time, although it will doubtlessly be deceptively long lived. This is a serious Cheval Blanc for serious oenophiles.

James Suckling

So much damson-plum and plum-cake richness, plus a substantial amount of fine tannin behind it, give this rich wine an impressively plush texture. Very long, supple finish that makes it hard not to reach for the glass once again. Drink or hold.

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

Wine Spectator

VertdeVin

(55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc) The nose is elegant and harmonious. It reveals notes of blueberry, ripe fruit and slight notes of plum, blueberry and a fine chocolate note. The palate is fresh, fluid, mineral, smooth, elegant and beautifully harmonious. The mouth is marked by the Cabernet Franc. It expresses notes of blackberry cream and slight notes of plum, cherry associated with a hint of liquorice present throughout the tasting and a fine note of chocolate as well as light, subtle and elegant oaky notes.

Falstaff

Wine Enthusiast

With its high proportion of Cabernet Franc (45%), this is a finely perfumed rich wine. It has great tannins, a smoky character that comes from the wood. The tannins are quite marked, giving a tight firm edge to the wine that otherwise has generous fruitiness. This is a complex wine, impressive, and likely to age over many years. Drink from 2028.