Cheval Blanc 2013

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé A

Units	Size	Case size	GBP Price:	Quantities	Buy
3	150cl Magnum	Case 3	£1,800 per Case	Case	[Add to shopping basket]

Tasting Notes
The 2013 Cheval Blanc has an attractive, slightly ferrous nose of light red fruit, loam and white pepper scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very simple for Cheval Blanc, though endowed with a sense of weight and personality. White pepper and clove appear toward the finish. This should be drunk over the next decade. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year On tasting. Score: 90 Neal Martin, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2023-2033 01 August 2023
One of the best of the lineup, this has supple tannins, nuanced raspberry and redcurrant fruit, with lift and juice through the finish. Still an early drinker with higher acidity than in most years of this wine, but one that is worth seeking out and enjoying, with just a hint of the magic of these soils. 60% 1st wine with the rest divided into 20% Petit Cheval, with 20% declassified. Score: 93 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2023-2036 22 February 2023
(53% cabernet franc and 47% merlot): Luminous ruby color. Captivating aromas of strawberry, raspberry, minerals, violet and graphite: very cab franc! The palate offers an uncanny combination of sweetness and penetrating power, with brisk acidity framing and lifting the fine-grained flavors of blackcurrant, spearmint and aromatic spices. The very long, slowly mounting finish conveys an impression of energy and great finesse, and the firm tannic spine suggests that this will age better than most 2013s. This reminded me of the 1993 Cheval Blanc, but it has a little more meat and depth than that wine, not to mention greater precision. Lurton suggested it is more like the 1988. Score: 90 - 92 Ian D'Agata, Inside Bordeaux 01 May 2014
A lovely mix of red berry and blackberry fruit, with focused red currant, bergamot and black cherry notes. A twinge of mesquite, with a note of black tea, hangs on the finish. There's lovely perfume now, with subtle persistence through the finish. This opens steadily at it airs. Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Tasted non-blind. Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 01 April 2014
53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot. Lifted, concentrated aromas of black cherry, mint, violets, liquorice, eucalyptus. Delicious entry, very pure and inviting with a satiny texture. There is nice weight of black plummy fruit and serious grip on the back end but the tannins are ripe and almost imperceptible. Very refined with a long harmonious finish. Score: 92 - 94 Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2014
52% Cabernet Franc, 48% Merlot. Very compact nose, much less expressive than the Petit Cheval. Black fruit, no greenness, and a hint of bitter chocolate. Good persistence and balance, this has been well made. Rounded, soft, approachable and with a smoky character just emerging. Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, Richard Hemming, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2023 01 April 2014
Seductive. This is incredibly floral with violets, raspberries and hints nutmeg. Full to medium body, with a pretty density and freshness. Silky and refined. Velvety wine. Creamy. Attractive tannin backbone. Fascinating Cheval Blanc. Subtle. Reminds me of 1971 or a baby 2001. 52% cabernet franc and 48% merlot. Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 April 2014
53% Cabernet Franc. Ruby red. Quite intense aromatically - summer fruit cocktail. Fine, smooth texture. Good mid-palate fruit. Tannins caressing. Elegant wine with focused finish. Less depth but true to style. Score: 92 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2020-2035 01 April 2014
There is a lot to like in the 2013 Cheval Blanc. Sweet red berries, crushed flowers, mint, pomegranate and bright floral notes meld together gracefully. The mid-weight style of the year is evident, but there is good energy in the glass. Silky, polished tannins round out the persistent, supple finish. The 2013 is 52% Cabernet Franc and 48% Merlot. Production will be around 45,000 bottles as opposed to the more typical 75-80,000. Score: 90 - 92 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux 01 April 2014

Tasting Notes

The 2013 Cheval Blanc has an attractive, slightly ferrous nose of light red fruit, loam and white pepper scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very simple for Cheval Blanc, though endowed with a sense of weight and personality. White pepper and clove appear toward the finish. This should be drunk over the next decade. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year On tasting.

Score: 90

Neal Martin, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2023-2033 01 August 2023

One of the best of the lineup, this has supple tannins, nuanced raspberry and redcurrant fruit, with lift and juice through the finish. Still an early drinker with higher acidity than in most years of this wine, but one that is worth seeking out and enjoying, with just a hint of the magic of these soils. 60% 1st wine with the rest divided into 20% Petit Cheval, with 20% declassified.

Score: 93

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2023-2036 22 February 2023

(53% cabernet franc and 47% merlot): Luminous ruby color. Captivating aromas of strawberry, raspberry, minerals, violet and graphite: very cab franc! The palate offers an uncanny combination of sweetness and penetrating power, with brisk acidity framing and lifting the fine-grained flavors of blackcurrant, spearmint and aromatic spices. The very long, slowly mounting finish conveys an impression of energy and great finesse, and the firm tannic spine suggests that this will age better than most 2013s. This reminded me of the 1993 Cheval Blanc, but it has a little more meat and depth than that wine, not to mention greater precision. Lurton suggested it is more like the 1988.

Score: 90 - 92

Ian D'Agata, Inside Bordeaux 01 May 2014

A lovely mix of red berry and blackberry fruit, with focused red currant, bergamot and black cherry notes. A twinge of mesquite, with a note of black tea, hangs on the finish. There's lovely perfume now, with subtle persistence through the finish. This opens steadily at it airs. Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Tasted non-blind.

Score: 91 - 94

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 01 April 2014

53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot. Lifted, concentrated aromas of black cherry, mint, violets, liquorice, eucalyptus. Delicious entry, very pure and inviting with a satiny texture. There is nice weight of black plummy fruit and serious grip on the back end but the tannins are ripe and almost imperceptible. Very refined with a long harmonious finish.

Score: 92 - 94

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2014

52% Cabernet Franc, 48% Merlot. Very compact nose, much less expressive than the Petit Cheval. Black fruit, no greenness, and a hint of bitter chocolate. Good persistence and balance, this has been well made. Rounded, soft, approachable and with a smoky character just emerging.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, Richard Hemming, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2023 01 April 2014

Seductive. This is incredibly floral with violets, raspberries and hints nutmeg. Full to medium body, with a pretty density and freshness. Silky and refined. Velvety wine. Creamy. Attractive tannin backbone. Fascinating Cheval Blanc. Subtle. Reminds me of 1971 or a baby 2001. 52% cabernet franc and 48% merlot.

Score: 93 - 94

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 April 2014

53% Cabernet Franc. Ruby red. Quite intense aromatically - summer fruit cocktail. Fine, smooth texture. Good mid-palate fruit. Tannins caressing. Elegant wine with focused finish. Less depth but true to style.

Score: 92

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2020-2035 01 April 2014

There is a lot to like in the 2013 Cheval Blanc. Sweet red berries, crushed flowers, mint, pomegranate and bright floral notes meld together gracefully. The mid-weight style of the year is evident, but there is good energy in the glass. Silky, polished tannins round out the persistent, supple finish. The 2013 is 52% Cabernet Franc and 48% Merlot. Production will be around 45,000 bottles as opposed to the more typical 75-80,000.

Score: 90 - 92

Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux 01 April 2014

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