
Red wine
Château Cheval Blanc 2018
Sumptuously floral and fresh. A wine of both elegance and (near) decadence. “The densest wine we have made since 2011”, remarked director Pierre Olivier Clouet. The blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon has enough acidity for balance. “Early picking helps to maintain that,” he said. Fine freshness and opulence, with black fruit and floral notes, leading to fresh mint and liquorice on the lifting, long finish. “The balance comes from (higher) yields”, says Clouet, comparing the 2018 to the Cheval 1990 and 1998, but the 1990 especially makes me think of the 2018.
Score: 98-100
Wine Details
Colour
Red
Wine Style
Still
Grape Varieties
Merlot (54%), Cabernet Franc (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon (6%)
Alcohol
14.5%
Bottle size
75cl
Origin
Country
France
Region
Bordeaux
Sub-region
St Emilion & Pomerol
Area
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOP
Tasting Information
Name of Tasting
Bordeaux En Primeur 2018
Type of Tasting
Tasting report
Blind
No
Tasted by
Panos Kakaviatos