Chateau Cheval Blanc   Cheval Blanc

2011 Cheval Blanc

By Chateau Cheval Blanc

2011 Cheval Blanc from Chateau Cheval Blanc, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux

Nestled within the fertile landscapes of Saint-Émilion, the 2011 vintage of Cheval Blanc from Chateau Cheval Blanc transcends typical expectations set by its predecessors. Esteemed for its grandeur and delicate crafting process, this exceptional Bordeaux is a sterling example of viticulture meeting master craftsmanship.

 

The Quintessence of 2011: A Study in Equipoise

The year 2011 was clouded with climatic capriciousness, presenting vigneron's across Bordeaux with a tapestry woven with challenges and triumphs. The verdant vines of Chateau Cheval Blanc faced these vagaries with resilience, culminating in a harvest that revealed surprisingly sophisticated tannins and multi-dimensional flavour profiles. It is in this singular context that the 2011 Cheval Blanc asserts its finesse - a testament to the winery's indefatigable pursuit of excellence.

 

An Audacious Expression Amidst Adversity

Upon approach, the wine reveals an evocative palette of both aroma and taste. An elegant mélange of ripe blackberry and licorice whispers tales of the merlot predominant blend before succumbing to the structural tenacity delivered by the cabernet franc. These varietals intertwine seamlessly, like dancers in reverent pas de deux, supported by an undercurrent of subtle oak influence and the vestiges of a cooler growing season captured in an enlivening acidity.

The wine exhibits a texture that one could liken to Damask silk; opulent yet discernibly defined. Much like the finest tapestries of yesteryear, each sip unveils layers of complexity, starting from dark fruits and evolving into an earthy forest floor character with just a hint of coffee bean on the elongated finish.

As savvy collectors vie to cellar investments with longevity and distinction, the 2011 Cheval Blanc emerges as an unassailable choice. Its profound balance and unexpected vivacity defy the whimsy of nature that year, proving that skilful vintners at Chateau Cheval Blanc can indeed conjure liquid poetry even from the most challenging vintages.

In summation, this particular bottle not only captures the essence of what makes Saint-Émilion terroir revered but also encapsulates a narrative of endurance and adaptability – making it one emblematic and investable offering from an unforgettable year.

Current market price

$7,190.00

12x75cl

Highest score

95

POP score

287.33

Scores and tasting notes

95

The 2011 Cheval Blanc is one of the more plump, opulent and sexy Cheval Blancs made over recent vintages, and its forwardness, lusciousness and complexity seemingly suggest this wine is on a fast evolutionary track. The wine exhibits a dense ruby/purple/plum color, a medium to full-bodied opulence, a sumptuous mid-palate (atypical for the vintage), and a lush, heady finish. It is a super, complex, evolved Cheval Blanc that can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years. Bravo!

Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #212

94-96

The Cheval Blanc is a blend of 52% Cabernet Franc and 48% Merlot picked from 6th September finishing on 2nd October. The bouquet is reticent at first and so I allow the sample to warm a little in the glass over five minutes. It unfurls nicely to offer a classic Cheval Blanc nose with the Cabernet Franc exhibiting those floral aromas, more dried rose petal than say violets. It is a slightly aloof nose, not one that comes running to you like the 2009 or 2010. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, slightly chalky tannins. It is well balanced with a fine tannic backbone, imbued with a sense of symmetry that Cheval Blanc has been honing in recent vintages. It displays fine minerality, remaining strict and linear towards the finish, although this may flesh out a little during maturation. A comparatively foursquare Cheval Blanc, one that will repay considerable ageing. Tasted April 2012.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2012

94

A beautiful nose of ripe black fruits such blackberries, as well as cocoa, black truffle and mint. Full body with a solid core of very refined tannins that lasts for minutes. Very refined texture, especially for the vintage. 57% cabernet franc and 43% merlot. Try after seven to eight years.

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, January 28th 2014

94

Medium to deep garnet in color, the 2011 Cheval Blanc features a nose of warm mulberries, preserved plums and figs with suggestions of dried herbs, dusty soil and underbrush plus a touch of Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, taut and muscular in the mouth, it has a solid frame of chewy tannins supporting the restrained fruit and a long earth and Provence herbs-layered finish.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 31 August 2018

Vintage performance