2019 Chateau Cheval Blanc (750ml)

Merlot from Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
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A thrilling selection of perfectly rated St. Emilion Bordeaux, these elegant 100 pt. vintages of the legendary Cheval Blanc seamlessly layer opulent, concentrated fruit with silky smooth tannins promising a rich and storied evolution for decades to come, earning their place among the world’s most celebrated and collectible red wines with a pedigree James Suckling describes as “mindboggling” at a best on the market price.

Boasting an exceptionally complex terroir with a patchwork of different soils, Cheval Blanc’s vineyards blend Pomerol’s typical clay with the gravel common to St. Emilion, each of its 45 plots vinified separately and then aged for 3 months in barrel before the final blend is assembled and aged for 16 to 18 months in 100% new French oak. A blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, Antonio Galloni describes the seductive 100 pt. 2020 Cheval Blanc as “a wine of mind-blowing balance” calling it “one of the truly great wines of the vintage,” that “will no doubt deliver unbridled enjoyment when it's ready” according to Decanter’s Georgina Hindle. Called “one of the unequivocally great wines of the vintage” by the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley, the sensational 100 pt. 2019 Cheval Blanc boasts 58% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon with a “remarkably lush and fine-grained texture” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth while Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson describes the magnificent 2018 100 pt. Cheval Blanc as “exceptionally good and extremely elegant,” a blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Described as a “masterpiece” by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, the opulent 100 pt. 2016 Cheval Blanc is a blend of 58% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, revealing a “beautifully ripe texture, finishing long and earthy” according to the Wine Independent’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown and the rich and refined 100 pt. 2009 Cheval Blanc boasts a “rare mix of elegance and power” according to Jeb Dunnuck with “flawless balance,” the blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc entering its window of drinkability after over a decade of pristine cellaring.

Summing up Cheval Blanc’s reputation as one of the longest-lived Bordeaux, Antonio Galloni of Vinous declared “There is simply nothing like a great Cheval Blanc in all of Bordeaux” – these 100 pt. gems promising to prove that point in a big way with some seriously enjoyable drinking over the next decades for those fortunate to stash some away.

100WA
100V
100JS #72 Top 100
100WI
99JD

One of the unequivocally great wines of the vintage is the 2019 Cheval Blanc, a stunning young Saint-Émilion that wafts from the glass with aromas of wild berries and plums mingled with notions of lilac, pipe tobacco, violets, raw cocoa, licorice, crushed mint and burning embers. Full-bodied, layered and enveloping, it's deep and intense, with beautifully rich, powdery tannins and vibrant flavors. Concluding with a long, saline finish, this rivals the 2016 as the finest Cheval Blanc of the decade, and in many respects it might be thought of as the latter vintage's sun-kissed cousin. Bravo to Pierre-Olivier Clouet and his team!

100 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)

The 2019 Cheval Blanc is a stunning, riveting wine. There is simply nothing like a great Cheval in all of Bordeaux. Soaring aromatics are immediately alluring. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, cinnamon, espresso and dried herbs build in a Cheval that possesses tremendous layers and exceptional balance. Clean, mineral notes lend tension and drive. The 2019 is a bit strict today and not ready to show all its cards, but it is very clearly a special, special wine in the making. In 2019, the Grand Vin represents 82.5% of the estate's production, a very high amount by any measure. I wouldn't dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. The 2019 is an eternal Cheval Blanc.

100 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2022)

Blackcurrants, cassis, graphite and earth on the nose, then changing to roses, violets and berries. Full-bodied with incredible energy of fine tannins and lively acidity. It grows on the palate and escalates to the summit of perfect wine. Very powerful at the end. Holding back and a great finish. Quantity and quality. Menthol. Cool. One of the greatest young Cheval Blancs I have ever tasted. 58% merlot, 34% cabernet franc and 8% cabernet sauvignon. Great finish. Give it time. Try after 2028.

100 points, James Suckling (Mar 2022)

#72 - James Suckling Top 100 of 2022

The 2019 Cheval Blanc is a blend of 58% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. 41 out of 53 blocks have had a part to play this year, representing 10 different soil types. The Grand Vin in 2019 represents 82% of production. Deep purple-black in color, it needs a lot of swirling to shake loose fragrant scents of Indian spice, potpourri, star anise, and cardamom, over a core of preserved plums, boysenberries, and charcoal with touches of wood smoke and cracked black pepper. Full-bodied, rich and immediately impactful in the mouth, the layered nuances slowly expand, beautifully framed by ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with cascading savory and earth flavors and lots of lingering mineral notes.

100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (May 2022)

Reminding me slightly of the 1990, the 2019 Château Cheval Blanc is a brilliant, brilliant wine from this estate that’s up there with the true greats. It shows the purity, finesse, and elegance of the vintage beautifully yet backs it up with density, concentration, and depth, revealing a stunning nose of red and black currants, tobacco leaf, new saddle leather, and spring flowers, with absolutely perfect ripeness. As complex and nuanced as only Cheval Blanc can be, even at this young age, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, abundant opulence, fat, and sweetness, polished tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's almost in a class all its own. It deserves at least 5-7 years of bottle age and will shine for 30+ years. Hats off to Pierre-Olivier Clouet, who continues to keep this estate at the top of the pyramid in Saint-Emilion!

99 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2022)

Alcohol By Volume: 14.5%
#FRCHME19CE
$699.88
Compare At: $799.99
1 bottle in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

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