2020 Château Cheval Blanc
Community Tasting Note
csimm wrote:
Saturday, June 24, 2023 - Cheval Blanc & Yquem dinner @ Anhelo Restaurant (with Pierre Lurton) (Phoenix, AZ): Well ok ya’ll, I’m-a gonna hafta tell a secret here now, cuz anyone even remotely thinkin’ bout bustin’ out their plastic money chomper from their wallets best do so with haste, cuz I just grabbed a few of these 2020 nuggets myself before I posted this note cuz I wanted to make sure I had a lil’ selfish stash locked up and secure for my cellar before the word gets out on this bad boy (Yeah, I know the word is already out and I’m a couple years late to the EP party as always, but just go with me on this).
On the heels of hitting the awesome 2019 Cheval Blanc not too long ago, I find this 2020 to be, dare I compare?!, even more awesome-er. Pouring an inky black-red, this thing is off the charts delicious. Young? Of course! Too young? I mean, yeah I guess, but holy heck, talk about a head turner already. The shape of this on the palate is exquisite. The fruit is primary but not especially linear, at least not so that it holds the pure flavors at bay. The front end is just plain gorgeous, with penetrating black cherry, cedar, and signature floral appendages reaching out to all corners of the mouth and completely coating the palate with energizing and pulsating fruit.
The smart ones will scold me and be quick to dismissively remind me it will shut down at some point, as if I shouldn’t get too excited about its current performance. Forecast as you all must, but I’ll just call it as I see it right now. Awe-some!
I will at least pretend-predict that the 2020 will become what the 2009 is now, except that the 2020 will likely carry even more sophistication throughout its evolution. The 2020 is a perfect wine in the making. Current accolades aside, holding bottles a decade or two isn’t the worst idea, but man it’s gonna be hard to leave these alone. Top notch indeed! 97-100 points.
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3 comments have been posted
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Comment posted by Whidah:
7/23/2023 6:02:00 AM - Curious to know what you paid for it?
I have just taken delivery of three bottles at around $600 each, but stored in UK for the moment. Plan to give them at least three more years
Comment posted by Whidah:
7/23/2023 6:02:00 AM - Curious to know what you paid for it?
I have just taken delivery of three bottles at around $600 each, but stored in UK for the moment. Plan to give them at least three more years
Comment posted by csimm:
7/23/2023 7:54:00 AM - Hi Whidah. My price point was the same as yours: 6 bills… which is about the cheapest you’ll find these bottles most any place. The 2020 is fantastic, so I think you’ll be very happy once you pop the cork. Waiting a few years makes sense. Cheers!