wanted to compare w 1988 but this is still embyonic. I opened and did not decant for 24 hours and then doubled decanted 90 minutes prior to serving, The aroma at decant was enticingly fruity but the palate was rigid. Must try to be more patient
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TOP SHELF WINE WEEKEND: Dark chocolate, black cherry, stewed plum, medjool date, menthol, and anise dominate the profile, with earthy elements complementing chewy black licorice, purple flowers, cedar, and Christmas spice. So ya, a lot going on with this wine, so much so that the complexity continues to build along with the richness and breadth of flavor as air pulses through its veins. The weight here is just heavy enough to provide beautiful volume without becoming too heavy or haughty. Finishes slightly chewy, but in a kid gnawing on a fistful of Milk Duds kind of yummy way. There’s also a captivating power here that thrusts the flavors forward so that it fills the entire mouth and makes for an even more savory and succulent delivery.
The 2010 offers a mesmerizing window into what could become of the 2019 (which was served beside it). I was drawn to both for different reasons, which basically means I was hooked into Cheval Blanc, period.
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Wild and Crazy Memorial Weekend - Saturday (Chris' Castle aka Melissa's Manor): As if the tasting wasn't crazy enough, we had a 2019 Cheval Blanc and a 2010. For me, this pairing separated the boys from the men....the guys who prefer little girls to grown women! Of course, the 2010 was clearly the better wine, yet there were some in the group who are young and impetuous, and they were wooed by the 2019's sexy aroma...like falling for a siren's song, they were too enchanted to see the forest for the trees....admittedly, the 2019 had the sexier nose. However, it is like seeing a beautifully dressed woman, and being smitten by her clothes rather than by what is underneath! The 2010 was so much more expressive, still young enough to woo you, but old and mature enough to keep pleasing you throughout the night!
This was my first sign that some of us were still too susceptible to quick impressions, and unwavering once wooed! We will see that again with the SQN flight that happened later in the evening!
OK...you're here for Cheval Blanc, so back to the 2010...First, the nose was quite intoxicating (perhaps not to the extent of the 2019, but not that far off either, showing violets, chocolate covered cherries, some licorice, cedar and earth notes. On the palate, plenty of red fruit, engulfed by violets, tobacco, bramble and spice. Still leaning toward the primary side of the scale, but hinting at the greatness that awaits the. patient. Easy 97 and my red WOTN!
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Flavors of dark red fruits, intense dark graphite, and bitter earth on the rougher/dirtier side.
This was a pleasure after getting some disappointment in a few of the reds beforehand. Showed really well and should show better with a bit more age or more air time.
Memorial Madness at Case de Chris y Melissa - Day 1 of 2: Another first for me. This wine was in a very good spot for me. Lovely! Good balance, fruit was ever present, some secondary notes of baked spices and herbs. Sign me up for this producer! Thank you for letting us taste this Jason (IRBDW)!
The mouth feel, balance and structure of this wine is remarkable. One of the best I recall having from Bordeaux. But, at 12 years of age I feel like this wine is showing more age than I would expect. Dark cherry, star anise/licorice & leather dominate the otherwise incredible nose. I wouldn't have guessed right bank as I was expecting more freshness and tension like the recent 2010 VCC.
When reading this I must share this is my first taste of Cheval Blanc. The quality is definitely there but I cannot say it was an ah ha wine. I'm not giving up by any means as I loaded up on 19 but I cannot say I'll be reaching for the third of the three pack anytime soon. Maybe Pomerol is more of my jam.
96+
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No notes and only fleeting impressions as it was an epic night with both old friends and new before the Chateau Angelus dinner at Anhelo in downtown Phoenix tonight (8/31). All wines were split between 6.25 of us and unless noted, minimal decant (max 30 minutes).
This wine is insane. Full stop. It’s incredible now and later and later. This was a WOTN for me- and even after the killer 2001 Harlan. I would literally pull this out to show how big my unit was… or not. Hard to say. Anywhooo incredible wine that beat out the 2010 Lafite tasted earlier this year. Yeah that good.
An Amazing Arizona Tasting: About a 60 min decant. What a stunning wine! Youthful? Of course. But the nose was intoxicating! Violets galore with a mixture of dark fruit, red cherries, milk chocolate and Christmas spice, followed by hints of bramble, cedar, anise and earth. The palate was delicious, but still quite primary. Dark and red fruit and chocolate covered cherries, with violets, bramble, coffee and sweet tobacco, and some spice notes lurking in the background peeking out periodically. Wine is silky smooth and shows no heat at. all. In a great window now, IMO and for my palate, but I do think it will get even better with more time! Certainly has the fruit and backbone to age further and gain some additional tertiary goodness! 96+ to 97 today, and upside potential!
Bordeaux 2010 - 10 Years On - 61 Reds: Bordeaux 2010 after 10 years. 61 reds, mostly big names, tasted blind. Average score 92.1 and lower than the more open and charming 2009 vintage last year (93.4). A few observations: A) It’s not yet the harmonious, complex, classic, clean vintage. Especially the masculine appellations of the left bank need at least 5 more years to just open up, potentially longer to soften. B) Left bank trumps right bank thanks to less detectable alcohol, cleaner lines and the two best wines of the vintage (Mouton, Margaux). C) Pomerol shines bright with many strong wines which can all mask the high alcohol levels (best AOC slightly ahead of Pauillac). D) As in 2009, there are several right banks already past peak, incl. big names (Duffau Lagarosse, Ausone). All in all, 2010 is a very good vintage with pockets of greatness but today 2009 shows more open and hence complex. More information, top and worst 10 list, appellation rankings from five participants in the story link.
TN: One of the winners of the tasting thanks to a very high complexity with lots of pure, ripe red fruit, nutty notes, burnt sugar, coffee and a nice minerality. A slightly more communicative bottle than the one I‘ve had 10 months ago. Impeccable structure with very fine tannins, superb freshness and luxurious texture. Very good length. This is currently not as open and expressive as the 2009 but it is definitely a great wine which provides a lot of pleasure to drink and will do so for many years to come. I guess in the long run it could outshine the 2009 as it could age more gracefully.
Decanting: I would suggest to decant it for at least 3-4 hours.
Group average: 96.0 Group rank: number 5 out of 61 wines (shared with Latour, Clos Manou)
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Grand Bordeaux 2010 ten years on tasting; 6/21/2020-6/22/2020 (Fribourg): Big Bordeaux 2010 2-day horizontal hosted by a private collector. My 3 main takeaways from the vintage were 1) more frequent perception of heat, 2) a slightly stronger left bank and a less consistent right bank, 3) while in general it is still too early to pop the 2010s, wine selection is key as some appear to be in decline already, especially on the right bank. The top wines were Mouton (99), Margaux (98) and VCC (98). The biggest positive surprise was Clos Manou (95). Biggest disappointment was Pape Clement (86). More details and complete tasting overview included in the tasting story.
Tasting note: A bit of black coffee, scorched earth, great bouquet of mixed berries, blue, red and dark. Lots of structural tannin, but otherwise a soft and velvety palate. Rather short on the finish however, in my view. Complexity continued to build with aeration and I think this may evolve into a spectacular wine if you're patient and give it another 5+ years.
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30 Vintages of Cheval Blanc: All tasted blind. 1982 to 2015 (with 1949 in the mix). The wines are fragrant, perfumed, seductive and always soft and without weight. Best performing vintages: the rather hot/ripe vintages 2015, 2009 and 1982 (all complex, seductive, complete and with elevated concentration). Next best: the promising and pure 2010, the still sexy 1990 and the immortal 1949. Notable outperformer: 2011 with many other good off-vintages. Notable underperformer: 2005, 2000, 1998 which all showed rather muted and not yet ready.
TN: Despite a first impression of a very closed wine with limited complexity it became instantly clear, that this could be one of the great years. The exceptional purity of the fruit, the heightened elegance, the magic sense of weightlessness... A Burgundian vintage. At first not enough concentration but with more swirling the wine gained substance and became more open with more and more aromas popping up. Like many 2010s this would have needed several hours (5+ at least) in the decanter, in context of this larger vertical tasting the wine got only two, three hours of slow-ox which was not remotely enough. 95 points today with potential for much more. It will be great to taste it against its sluttier, hotter 2009 sibling in 5, 10 and 20 years.
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Chateau Cheval Blanc - 30 year vertical (1949-2015) tasted blind: Darker and denser than the 2009 next to it, meaty, masculine, very ripe but also fresh. The palate is dense but fresh, no sign of cooked fruit. Wild. Today, it was outshined by the more balanced and drinkable 2009 but I think the potential here is high. Don’t waste your money by opening this before 2025 and expect reach its peak plateau earliest in 2030 at age 20. 97+
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Total of 12 vintages Cheval Blanc. I had 5 of them in the glas. Only small zips over a short period, but the bottles were opened over three hours.
Very tight and closed compared to 2009 but with great structure either. Massive extraction, maybe too much? I#m not sure but in 20 years I guess I would prefer the 2010. We will see. 95+
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Huge wine, impenetrable black colour and viscous with extreme length. As with most legendary 2010's, this has incredible amounts of fruit and tannin. For now, a drinking experience rather than a huge pleasure, but this should evolve into a perfect wine in another decade. 98+ points, drink 2030+
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Vertical tasting of six recent vintages. Very tight and closed on the nose, even after half an hour in the glass. Massive on the palate. The tannins are far more pronounced than any of the other vintages on show with an impressive acidic backbone. Lots of black fruit and black liquorice. Super long. Huge potential here. Would love to try it again in 15 years.
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Very tight, very concentrated almost, new world in concentration, very tannic - and cool. Grand Vin, indeed. Hands off, please – for 5-10 years. No surprise at that. 50 % cab franc. #Angleterre
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2016 Villa d’Este Wine Symposium - Kelly, Alan and Kevin's excellent adventure; 11/3/2016-11/12/2016 (Villa D’este, Lake Como, Piedmont, Milan and Frankfurt): Expressive ripe yet fresh nose, starts with beautiful cab franc floral dust, intense sweet black fruit, a hint of licorice, lead pencil, spicy spices, caramel and chocolate dipped strawberry. Exceptional concentration, polished and silky palate, perfect amount of acidity, noticeable fine tannins and an incredibly long dark fruit and mineral driven finish. The tannins become very noticeable at the end. This is a big scale, formidably structured wine with beautiful balance and finesse. This will be a fifty plus year wine. Due to opulent fruit, this is enjoyable though incredibly young.
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66x Parker 100-Pointers from Bordeaux 1947-2010 tasted blind (Switzerland): Tasted blind. Dark purple. Aaah, now we are talking, finally, thank you for rescuing me Cheval Blanc 2010. If I had not had a 100 pointer on the right bank as well people could think that I am too biased. Right from the first swirl the nose is fantastic. Dark fruit with lots of forest notes, ever changing kaleidoscope of aromas, really great. Continued by a fantastic mouth feel on the palate medium-full bodied with excellent balance. Long finish. Awesome wine front to back, unfortunately a 4-digit price tag as well. The best right bank wine and second best wine of this epic tasting. Group score: 19.15, group rank: 2/64
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Color cereza picota, ribete granatoso, capa alta y gruesa lágrima bien lenta y suavemente tintada. En nariz muestra una excelente intensidad con unos agradables aromas de fruta madura (predominio de fruta del bosque con frambuesa en compota y arándanos, y algo de ciruelas rojas), los tostados de la barrica son finos y bien integrados, éstos resultan hasta cremosos, notas de vainilla en rama que junto con las notas lácteas muy duraderas que se convierten en toques dulzones (arroz con leche), finos especiados y suaves sensaciones de canela y algo de clavo y nuez moscada, finos balsámicos con algo de eucalipto que le aporta cierta frescura, le siguen sensaciones de chocolate en polvo y cacao puro que acaban de dotarle de finura y personalidad, un fondo muy envolvente en el que vuelven las notas ahumadas de la barrica y la elegancia de la Cabernet Franc. Excelente y suave entrada en boca, fina astringencia que resulta algo láctea y dulzona, notable recorrido de cuerpo medio con una excelente acidez, tostados de la barrica bien marcados pero se muestran elegantes y nada rugosos, taninos algo dulzones, suaves especiados, finas notas balsámicas que le dan algo de frescura, notable longitud y buen volumen, notas lácteas muy agradables, muy sedoso y de buen tacto, buena intensidad y finura pero con cierto carácter, equilibrio entre sus notas amargas y dulzonas, de media complejidad y notable persistencia. Final largo, postgusto de fruta madura y retronasal bien ahumado.
More information: http://www.elvi.net/2013/12/21/chateau-cheval-blanc-2010/
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MW Institute 2010 Bordeaux Tasting (Sydney, Australia): Tobacco, forest floor, blackcurrant and cherry on the nose - it does not burst out of the glass but takes a lot of swirling and a lot of patience with a tiny pour for some of its character to emerge. The structure is good and the fruit has class, but at the moment it just lacks a spark to really shine. I tried a small amount from a second bottle and it was the same. Could just be in a bit of a hole, I would not be in any hurry to approach this wine.
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An intriguing perfume filled with stone, flowers, blackberry liqueur, dark plums, licorice, smoke, oak and hints of bitter chocolate, asks and receives your attention. Lush, sensuous, silk and velvet drenched fruit drenched with opulence that borders on decadence coat your palate. The pure, intense, sensuous finish lasts at least 60 seconds. This sublime Bordeaux wine has become a better tasting experience since last tasted.
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Cheval Blanc Produced from a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc than usual, 56% Cabernet Franc, with the remaining 34% percent relegated to Merlot; that assemblage is similar to what is planted in the vineyards today. The wine reached 14.5% alcohol with a 3.75 pH, allowing for a rich, ripe wine that is also alcoholic and fresh. Placing your nose into this wine reminds you of walking into a flower shop. The aromatics are further complicated with scents of stone, oak, truffle, caramel and black cherry. Pairing delicacy with power, this is an elegant, deep, wine of finesse, purity and refinement. Part of the reason for the wines success is the long and exacting time spent harvesting the fruit. The estate took three weeks to conclude picking. Previously, they finished the harvest in two weeks. 96-98 Pts
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Quite reticent and closed on the nose. Not giving much today; lovely texture on the palate though fruits are quite shy. Very hard to judge on this showing.
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3/27/2024 - steinersing wrote: 96 Points
Still in its infancy and slightly closed currently. Still the intensity is impressive.
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2/29/2024 - VoteferPedro wrote:
wanted to compare w 1988 but this is still embyonic. I opened and did not decant for 24 hours and then doubled decanted 90 minutes prior to serving,
The aroma at decant was enticingly fruity but the palate was rigid. Must try to be more patient
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6/6/2023 - csimm wrote: 98 Points
TOP SHELF WINE WEEKEND: Dark chocolate, black cherry, stewed plum, medjool date, menthol, and anise dominate the profile, with earthy elements complementing chewy black licorice, purple flowers, cedar, and Christmas spice. So ya, a lot going on with this wine, so much so that the complexity continues to build along with the richness and breadth of flavor as air pulses through its veins. The weight here is just heavy enough to provide beautiful volume without becoming too heavy or haughty. Finishes slightly chewy, but in a kid gnawing on a fistful of Milk Duds kind of yummy way. There’s also a captivating power here that thrusts the flavors forward so that it fills the entire mouth and makes for an even more savory and succulent delivery.
The 2010 offers a mesmerizing window into what could become of the 2019 (which was served beside it). I was drawn to both for different reasons, which basically means I was hooked into Cheval Blanc, period.
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5/27/2023 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 97 Points
Wild and Crazy Memorial Weekend - Saturday (Chris' Castle aka Melissa's Manor): As if the tasting wasn't crazy enough, we had a 2019 Cheval Blanc and a 2010. For me, this pairing separated the boys from the men....the guys who prefer little girls to grown women! Of course, the 2010 was clearly the better wine, yet there were some in the group who are young and impetuous, and they were wooed by the 2019's sexy aroma...like falling for a siren's song, they were too enchanted to see the forest for the trees....admittedly, the 2019 had the sexier nose. However, it is like seeing a beautifully dressed woman, and being smitten by her clothes rather than by what is underneath! The 2010 was so much more expressive, still young enough to woo you, but old and mature enough to keep pleasing you throughout the night!
This was my first sign that some of us were still too susceptible to quick impressions, and unwavering once wooed! We will see that again with the SQN flight that happened later in the evening!
OK...you're here for Cheval Blanc, so back to the 2010...First, the nose was quite intoxicating (perhaps not to the extent of the 2019, but not that far off either, showing violets, chocolate covered cherries, some licorice, cedar and earth notes. On the palate, plenty of red fruit, engulfed by violets, tobacco, bramble and spice. Still leaning toward the primary side of the scale, but hinting at the greatness that awaits the. patient. Easy 97 and my red WOTN!
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5/27/2023 - WineBurrowingWombat Likes this wine: 96 Points
Memorial Day Weekend, Day 1: Inglourious Basterds: Aromas of parchment with heavily sketched on graphite, softly fruited earth, and intense dark red floral notes.
Flavors of dark red fruits, intense dark graphite, and bitter earth on the rougher/dirtier side.
This was a pleasure after getting some disappointment in a few of the reds beforehand. Showed really well and should show better with a bit more age or more air time.
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5/27/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine: 96 Points
Memorial Madness at Case de Chris y Melissa - Day 1 of 2: Another first for me. This wine was in a very good spot for me. Lovely! Good balance, fruit was ever present, some secondary notes of baked spices and herbs. Sign me up for this producer! Thank you for letting us taste this Jason (IRBDW)!
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3/16/2023 - Nicolas Beirens Likes this wine: 98 Points
What will this give in a few years… magic
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12/2/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 96 Points
The mouth feel, balance and structure of this wine is remarkable. One of the best I recall having from Bordeaux. But, at 12 years of age I feel like this wine is showing more age than I would expect. Dark cherry, star anise/licorice & leather dominate the otherwise incredible nose. I wouldn't have guessed right bank as I was expecting more freshness and tension like the recent 2010 VCC.
When reading this I must share this is my first taste of Cheval Blanc. The quality is definitely there but I cannot say it was an ah ha wine. I'm not giving up by any means as I loaded up on 19 but I cannot say I'll be reaching for the third of the three pack anytime soon. Maybe Pomerol is more of my jam.
96+
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11/6/2022 - MJP Hou TX wrote: flawed
First bottle out of this three pack was prematurely aged. Returned to distributor for a credit/return.
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8/30/2022 - LiteItOnFire Likes this wine: 97 Points
No notes and only fleeting impressions as it was an epic night with both old friends and new before the Chateau Angelus dinner at Anhelo in downtown Phoenix tonight (8/31). All wines were split between 6.25 of us and unless noted, minimal decant (max 30 minutes).
This wine is insane. Full stop. It’s incredible now and later and later. This was a WOTN for me- and even after the killer 2001 Harlan. I would literally pull this out to show how big my unit was… or not. Hard to say. Anywhooo incredible wine that beat out the 2010 Lafite tasted earlier this year. Yeah that good.
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8/30/2022 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 97 Points
An Amazing Arizona Tasting: About a 60 min decant. What a stunning wine! Youthful? Of course. But the nose was intoxicating! Violets galore with a mixture of dark fruit, red cherries, milk chocolate and Christmas spice, followed by hints of bramble, cedar, anise and earth. The palate was delicious, but still quite primary. Dark and red fruit and chocolate covered cherries, with violets, bramble, coffee and sweet tobacco, and some spice notes lurking in the background peeking out periodically. Wine is silky smooth and shows no heat at. all. In a great window now, IMO and for my palate, but I do think it will get even better with more time! Certainly has the fruit and backbone to age further and gain some additional tertiary goodness! 96+ to 97 today, and upside potential!
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11/16/2021 - Nery wrote:
WS 98 / RP 100
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6/29/2020 - Cailles wrote: 96 Points
Bordeaux 2010 - 10 Years On - 61 Reds: Bordeaux 2010 after 10 years. 61 reds, mostly big names, tasted blind. Average score 92.1 and lower than the more open and charming 2009 vintage last year (93.4). A few observations: A) It’s not yet the harmonious, complex, classic, clean vintage. Especially the masculine appellations of the left bank need at least 5 more years to just open up, potentially longer to soften. B) Left bank trumps right bank thanks to less detectable alcohol, cleaner lines and the two best wines of the vintage (Mouton, Margaux). C) Pomerol shines bright with many strong wines which can all mask the high alcohol levels (best AOC slightly ahead of Pauillac). D) As in 2009, there are several right banks already past peak, incl. big names (Duffau Lagarosse, Ausone). All in all, 2010 is a very good vintage with pockets of greatness but today 2009 shows more open and hence complex. More information, top and worst 10 list, appellation rankings from five participants in the story link.
TN: One of the winners of the tasting thanks to a very high complexity with lots of pure, ripe red fruit, nutty notes, burnt sugar, coffee and a nice minerality. A slightly more communicative bottle than the one I‘ve had 10 months ago. Impeccable structure with very fine tannins, superb freshness and luxurious texture. Very good length. This is currently not as open and expressive as the 2009 but it is definitely a great wine which provides a lot of pleasure to drink and will do so for many years to come. I guess in the long run it could outshine the 2009 as it could age more gracefully.
Decanting: I would suggest to decant it for at least 3-4 hours.
Group average: 96.0
Group rank: number 5 out of 61 wines
(shared with Latour, Clos Manou)
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6/22/2020 - sirpat00 wrote: 94 Points
Grand Bordeaux 2010 ten years on tasting; 6/21/2020-6/22/2020 (Fribourg): Big Bordeaux 2010 2-day horizontal hosted by a private collector. My 3 main takeaways from the vintage were 1) more frequent perception of heat, 2) a slightly stronger left bank and a less consistent right bank, 3) while in general it is still too early to pop the 2010s, wine selection is key as some appear to be in decline already, especially on the right bank. The top wines were Mouton (99), Margaux (98) and VCC (98). The biggest positive surprise was Clos Manou (95). Biggest disappointment was Pape Clement (86). More details and complete tasting overview included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
A bit of black coffee, scorched earth, great bouquet of mixed berries, blue, red and dark. Lots of structural tannin, but otherwise a soft and velvety palate. Rather short on the finish however, in my view. Complexity continued to build with aeration and I think this may evolve into a spectacular wine if you're patient and give it another 5+ years.
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5/8/2020 - rttpv wrote: 95 Points
juste un immense plaisir, difficile de décrire. ultra raffiné, un touche moka et de Californie
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12/16/2019 - Cailles wrote: 95 Points
30 Vintages of Cheval Blanc: All tasted blind. 1982 to 2015 (with 1949 in the mix). The wines are fragrant, perfumed, seductive and always soft and without weight. Best performing vintages: the rather hot/ripe vintages 2015, 2009 and 1982 (all complex, seductive, complete and with elevated concentration). Next best: the promising and pure 2010, the still sexy 1990 and the immortal 1949. Notable outperformer: 2011 with many other good off-vintages. Notable underperformer: 2005, 2000, 1998 which all showed rather muted and not yet ready.
TN: Despite a first impression of a very closed wine with limited complexity it became instantly clear, that this could be one of the great years. The exceptional purity of the fruit, the heightened elegance, the magic sense of weightlessness... A Burgundian vintage. At first not enough concentration but with more swirling the wine gained substance and became more open with more and more aromas popping up. Like many 2010s this would have needed several hours (5+ at least) in the decanter, in context of this larger vertical tasting the wine got only two, three hours of slow-ox which was not remotely enough. 95 points today with potential for much more. It will be great to taste it against its sluttier, hotter 2009 sibling in 5, 10 and 20 years.
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11/29/2019 - Collector1855 wrote: 97 Points
Chateau Cheval Blanc - 30 year vertical (1949-2015) tasted blind: Darker and denser than the 2009 next to it, meaty, masculine, very ripe but also fresh. The palate is dense but fresh, no sign of cooked fruit. Wild. Today, it was outshined by the more balanced and drinkable 2009 but I think the potential here is high. Don’t waste your money by opening this before 2025 and expect reach its peak plateau earliest in 2030 at age 20. 97+
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2/4/2018 - aquacongas Likes this wine: 95 Points
Total of 12 vintages Cheval Blanc. I had 5 of them in the glas. Only small zips over a short period, but the bottles were opened over three hours.
Very tight and closed compared to 2009 but with great structure either. Massive extraction, maybe too much? I#m not sure but in 20 years I guess I would prefer the 2010. We will see. 95+
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11/10/2017 - felixp Likes this wine: 98 Points
Huge wine, impenetrable black colour and viscous with extreme length.
As with most legendary 2010's, this has incredible amounts of fruit and tannin. For now, a drinking experience rather than a huge pleasure, but this should evolve into a perfect wine in another decade.
98+ points, drink 2030+
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1/26/2017 - RaggaMat wrote: 98 Points
Vertical tasting of six recent vintages. Very tight and closed on the nose, even after half an hour in the glass. Massive on the palate. The tannins are far more pronounced than any of the other vintages on show with an impressive acidic backbone. Lots of black fruit and black liquorice. Super long. Huge potential here. Would love to try it again in 15 years.
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11/24/2016 - beatles Likes this wine: 97 Points
Very tight, very concentrated almost, new world in concentration, very tannic - and cool. Grand Vin, indeed. Hands off, please – for 5-10 years. No surprise at that. 50 % cab franc. #Angleterre
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11/5/2016 - dcwino wrote: 98 Points
2016 Villa d’Este Wine Symposium - Kelly, Alan and Kevin's excellent adventure; 11/3/2016-11/12/2016 (Villa D’este, Lake Como, Piedmont, Milan and Frankfurt): Expressive ripe yet fresh nose, starts with beautiful cab franc floral dust, intense sweet black fruit, a hint of licorice, lead pencil, spicy spices, caramel and chocolate dipped strawberry. Exceptional concentration, polished and silky palate, perfect amount of acidity, noticeable fine tannins and an incredibly long dark fruit and mineral driven finish. The tannins become very noticeable at the end. This is a big scale, formidably structured wine with beautiful balance and finesse. This will be a fifty plus year wine. Due to opulent fruit, this is enjoyable though incredibly young.
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9/16/2016 - Collector1855 wrote: 100 Points
66x Parker 100-Pointers from Bordeaux 1947-2010 tasted blind (Switzerland): Tasted blind. Dark purple. Aaah, now we are talking, finally, thank you for rescuing me Cheval Blanc 2010. If I had not had a 100 pointer on the right bank as well people could think that I am too biased. Right from the first swirl the nose is fantastic. Dark fruit with lots of forest notes, ever changing kaleidoscope of aromas, really great. Continued by a fantastic mouth feel on the palate medium-full bodied with excellent balance. Long finish. Awesome wine front to back, unfortunately a 4-digit price tag as well. The best right bank wine and second best wine of this epic tasting. Group score: 19.15, group rank: 2/64
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5/26/2015 - elvinet Likes this wine: 97 Points
Color cereza picota, ribete granatoso, capa alta y gruesa lágrima bien lenta y suavemente tintada. En nariz muestra una excelente intensidad con unos agradables aromas de fruta madura (predominio de fruta del bosque con frambuesa en compota y arándanos, y algo de ciruelas rojas), los tostados de la barrica son finos y bien integrados, éstos resultan hasta cremosos, notas de vainilla en rama que junto con las notas lácteas muy duraderas que se convierten en toques dulzones (arroz con leche), finos especiados y suaves sensaciones de canela y algo de clavo y nuez moscada, finos balsámicos con algo de eucalipto que le aporta cierta frescura, le siguen sensaciones de chocolate en polvo y cacao puro que acaban de dotarle de finura y personalidad, un fondo muy envolvente en el que vuelven las notas ahumadas de la barrica y la elegancia de la Cabernet Franc. Excelente y suave entrada en boca, fina astringencia que resulta algo láctea y dulzona, notable recorrido de cuerpo medio con una excelente acidez, tostados de la barrica bien marcados pero se muestran elegantes y nada rugosos, taninos algo dulzones, suaves especiados, finas notas balsámicas que le dan algo de frescura, notable longitud y buen volumen, notas lácteas muy agradables, muy sedoso y de buen tacto, buena intensidad y finura pero con cierto carácter, equilibrio entre sus notas amargas y dulzonas, de media complejidad y notable persistencia. Final largo, postgusto de fruta madura y retronasal bien ahumado.
More information: http://www.elvi.net/2013/12/21/chateau-cheval-blanc-2010/
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4/19/2015 - CamWheeler wrote: 91 Points
MW Institute 2010 Bordeaux Tasting (Sydney, Australia): Tobacco, forest floor, blackcurrant and cherry on the nose - it does not burst out of the glass but takes a lot of swirling and a lot of patience with a tiny pour for some of its character to emerge. The structure is good and the fruit has class, but at the moment it just lacks a spark to really shine. I tried a small amount from a second bottle and it was the same. Could just be in a bit of a hole, I would not be in any hurry to approach this wine.
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7/21/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 99 Points
An intriguing perfume filled with stone, flowers, blackberry liqueur, dark plums, licorice, smoke, oak and hints of bitter chocolate, asks and receives your attention. Lush, sensuous, silk and velvet drenched fruit drenched with opulence that borders on decadence coat your palate. The pure, intense, sensuous finish lasts at least 60 seconds. This sublime Bordeaux wine has become a better tasting experience since last tasted.
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4/22/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 97 Points
Cheval Blanc Produced from a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc than usual, 56% Cabernet Franc, with the remaining 34% percent relegated to Merlot; that assemblage is similar to what is planted in the vineyards today. The wine reached 14.5% alcohol with a 3.75 pH, allowing for a rich, ripe wine that is also alcoholic and fresh. Placing your nose into this wine reminds you of walking into a flower shop. The aromatics are further complicated with scents of stone, oak, truffle, caramel and black cherry. Pairing delicacy with power, this is an elegant, deep, wine of finesse, purity and refinement. Part of the reason for the wines success is the long and exacting time spent harvesting the fruit. The estate took three weeks to conclude picking. Previously, they finished the harvest in two weeks. 96-98 Pts
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4/4/2011 - vespasian wrote:
Quite reticent and closed on the nose. Not giving much today; lovely texture on the palate though fruits are quite shy. Very hard to judge on this showing.
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