Chateau Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2001

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2004

I was surprised by how soft, opulent, even voluptuous the 2001 Cheval Blanc performed out of bottle as this estate’s wines tend to shut down when young. Its deep ruby/purple color was accompanied by sweet aromas of cranberries, black currants, menthol, Asian spices, and underbrush. This seductive blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc reveals a lush sweetness, medium body, and ripe, well-integrated tannin. A racy effort filled with personality, it should be at its finest between 2007-2018.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2004

Dark and intense, with blackberry, plum and light vanilla aromas. Subtle and complex. Full-bodied, with plenty of berry and vanilla character and a long, silky finish. Very racy. Very refined and long. Love the caressing texture. Close to the 2000 in quality. Best after 2008.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2003

Fifty percent of the crop made it into the 2001 Cheval Blanc, which includes an unusually high percentage of Merlot (60%, along with 40% Cabernet Franc). As administrator Pierre Lurton told me, it was a year where the vines had to be extensively pruned so yields were kept low. The Cabernet Franc vineyards produced 32 hectoliters per hectare, and the Merlot vineyards, 39 hectoliters per hectare. The cool September weather resulted in a late harvest for this estate. The opaque ruby/purple color of the 2001 is accompanied by a sweet bouquet of menthol, ripe black currant, plum, and cherry fruit, and an intriguing mineral characteristic. The wine is medium-bodied, with wonderful sweetness and purity, good definition, a layered texture, and sweet tannin in the finish. It will not make anyone forget the prodigious 2000 or the increasingly impressive 1998, but it is a fruit-driven, dense effort with abundant quantities of vibrant acidity. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe1/1/2003

Issu d'une sélection de la moitié de la récolte totale, le 2001 de Cheval Blanc se compose d'une proportion étonnamment élevée de merot (60%), le reste de l'assemblage étant du cabernet franc. D'après Pierre Lurton, il fallut cette année contenir les rendements par une taille très sévère. Les rendements du cabernet franc furent de l'ordre de 32 hl/ha, le merlot frôlant les 40 hl/ha. En raison de la fraîcheur du mois de Septembre, les vendanges à la propriété furent tardives. D'un rubis-pourpre opaque, doté d'un doux bouquet de menthe, de cassis mûr, de prune et de cerise, ainsi que de belles senteurs de minéral, le Cheval Blanc 2001 est moyennement corsé, merveilleux à la fois de douceur et de pureté, et il conserve, malgré sa générosité, une précision d'excellent aloi. Sa finale recèle des tannins doux. L'ensemble n'eclipsera pas le prodigieux 2000, mais il sera apprécié pour sa densité et son fruité, ainsi que pour sa belle tonicité, qu'il doit à l'acidité fraîche qui l'étaye. A boire entre 2007 et 2018.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2002

Fifty percent of the crop made it into the 2001 Cheval Blanc, which includes an unusually high percentage of Merlot (65%, along with 35% Cabernet Franc). The 2001 has a lot in common with the 1999 and 1988. Its opaque ruby/purple color is accompanied by a sweet bouquet of menthol, ripe black currant, plum, and cherry fruit, and an intriguing mineral characteristic. The wine is medium-bodied, with wonderful sweetness and purity, good definition, a light texture, and sweet tannin in the finish. It will not make anyone forget the prodigious 2000 or the increasingly impressive 1998, but it is a fruit-driven, dense effort with abundant quantities of vibrant acidity. As administrator Pierre Lurton told me, in this vintage the vines had to be extensively pruned (and crop-thinned) so yields were kept low. The Cabernet Franc vineyards produced 32 hectoliters per hectare, and the Merlot vineyards, 39 hectoliters per hectare. The cool September weather resulted in a late harvest for this estate. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.