Château Cheval Blanc 2014

The 2014 Château 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, a mix 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 leaps out to grab your attention; rather, the sophistication creeps up on you. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins. Unlike the Deuxième Vin, there is real structure and backbone here, a gentle but insistent grip in the mouth. It leans toward black rather than red fruit, intermingling with sage and cumin, then segueing into a precise finish with a long, lingering, ferrous note (à la Pomerol!), and finally a hint of oyster shell on the aftertaste. It is one of the most subtle Château Cheval Blancs I have tasted in a long time, although it will doubtless be deceptively long-lived. This is a serious Château Cheval Blanc for serious oenophiles.

This has dreamy aromas already, with notes of Lapsang souchong tea, smoldering cigar and cold charcoal wafting up from the core of dense yet supple currant, fig and blackberry preserves. A loamy edge thumps through the finish, giving this an addictive, head-bobbing bass line. Best from 2026 through 2040. 8,335 cases made.

Intensely fragrant and aromatic, perfumed with dark chocolate, coffee, blackcurrant, graphite and liquorice with slight leather aspects. Round and nicely filling, not weighty at all, this is streamlined but feels finessed and graceful while still carrying some texture and density. Salty, strawberries and touches of wet stone, this feels quite young and just a touch compact right now. Not yet fully expanded, keeping its serious face on, but you know it has been well built and there's harmony there. A gem still waiting to shine.

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. Château Quintus vertical tasting. SP.

The 2014 Cheval Blanc has an almost Left Bank–inspired bouquet, with tarry black fruit, tobacco and forest floor scents unfolding in the glass, though not as “immediate” as Canon. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fleshy, very well balanced and nuanced, with one of the few finishes I would describe as “precise,” beckoning you back for the next sip. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.

Youthful, seductive, floral, energetic, and aromatic, at this stage, it is the Cabernet Franc that stands out with its almost high-toned red fruits, leaves, flowers, and mint. The palate is more discreet, holding its best for a few more years before it turns silky. Drink from 2025–2050.

Supple, elegant, and seamless, the 2014 Chateau Cheval Blanc is about as classic as they come from this estate and shows the character of the vintage perfectly. Made from 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc brought up all in new barrels (although you’d never know that from tasting it), its still-youthful ruby/purple color is followed by a complex bouquet of sweet kirsch, black raspberries, violets, menthol, and flowery incense. With terrific sweetness of fruit, medium body, an ethereal texture, polished tannins, and a great finish, it’s going to hit prime time in another 2-4 years and, I suspect, surprise with its longevity.

Medium-bodied ruby, slight lactic note, tomato vine, a bit unsettled. Elegant yet gripping palate, astringent, juicy acidity; then on the palate it comes together seamlessly, with great elegance and silkiness. Initially 18/20, becoming clearly better and more nuanced with air.

45% Cabernet Franc, 55% Merlot. Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with lilac highlights at the rim. Dark aromas cautiously rise from the (still) restrained bouquet: malt notes, black currant, plum tones, and a hint of tar and truffle. On the second pass the nose turns slightly floral, yet remains on the spicy side; in other words, there is no primary fruit, or it is still lying beneath the surface. On the palate it is dense and fleshy, showing plenty of concentration while retaining its serious character. A classic, reassuring and very age-worthy Cheval Blanc that ultimately lacks just a touch of finesse to reach absolute brilliance. One could speak here of an introverted greatness. Still, it may well surprise in about 15 years. With Cheval, Cabernet Franc is always a safe bet.

(55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc) Deep, elegant, complex bouquet of blueberries, strawberries, mint, herbs, pralines, tobacco. Balanced, silky, elegant, multi-layered palate with dense, fine fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a creamy, finely muscular structure, powerful, varied aromatics, and a very long, dense, creamy finish with plenty of after-flavors. Can still improve. 18/20 2022 - 2040

Leather, cigar box and undergrowth at the 10-year mark, gently building in concentration and power, more in the Pomerol than Saint-Émilion camp in this particular vintage. Creamy raspberry and damson purée as it opens, gorgeous balance, studded with bright acidities and pinpoint minerality. Distinctive, white pepper, curling embers, campfire smoke, liquorice root, delicate and lingering. 100% new oak.

Deep garnet-brick in color, the 2014 Cheval Blanc needs a lot of swirling to unlock notes of plum preserves and fruitcake, plus suggestions of garrigue, black pepper, and tapenade, with a hint of camphor. The medium- to full-bodied palate has a rock-solid structure of chewy tannins and bold freshness supporting the savory, muscular fruit, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Tasted blind with the Southwold Group in London in February 2024.

You’d happily drink it in big gulps already, even though it’s built for very long ageing! Less than a year after bottling, the expression remains very pure and delicate, full of springtime nuances—a bouquet in which raspberry and lilac occasionally come through. The acidity is present, yet always well-integrated. Let’s applaud the consistency of flavour between the en primeur samples and the bottled wine!

A superb nose with Asian notes of soy, tamarind, and Thai basil. The herbal notes, exotic yet pure, also emerge on the palate, accompanying a fleshy character that is typically Pomerol. The finish, like brushed silk, is flavorful and wonderfully melting.

Ruby red with slightly violet highlights. A highly expressive bouquet combining floral, fruity and spicy notes. Delicate filigree notes of strawberry followed by more intense aromas such as raspberry. Finally, I detect a hint of cinnamon. On the palate, the attack is of incredible finesse. The body is like a lady who slowly reveals her beauty and strength. The very fine-grained tannins appear on the finish, accompanied by an astonishing touch of licorice. The structure is discreet yet firmly supports the fruit. Persistent, fruity finish. In summary, one could speak of a marathoner.

Dark, intense, and brilliant color. Superb, highly aromatic nose—refined and pure. Nuances of plum, licorice, and tobacco. A supple entry on the palate, yet dense, opening with perfumed notes and hints of flowers and exotic fruits. The wine then glides, caressing while remaining dense. It lingers for a long time with exceptional texture and great depth of complex flavors. A great wine.

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.