Château Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2003

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/29/2014

The 2003 Cheval Blanc, a blend of 56% Cabernet Franc and 44% Merlot, reveals an exquisite bouquet of mulberries, forest floor, new saddle leather, spice box and spring flowers. The first-growth quality aromatics are followed by a complex medium-bodied wine with more density than anticipated. The wine seems fully mature although there is an unexpected freshness and underlying depth of fruit. This beauty should continue to drink well for another 7-8 years.

One of the principal theories of the bizarre, historically hot and dry summer of 2003 is that grapes planted in gravelly and sandy soils were the least successful. If that was true 100% of the time, Cheval Blanc would have made a horrible wine. In fact, both the grand vin and second wine at Cheval Blanc did well in this vintage. It was the earliest harvest in over 110 years at this estate, and the resulting wine is a beauty.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/6/2013

Tasted at Bordeaux Index’s “10-Year On” tasting in London. The Cheval Blanc 2003 has an attractive bouquet with expressive Cabernet Franc – cooked meat, undergrowth, mint and cloves. It offers clarity if not the sophistication of a top Cheval Blanc. The palate is medium-bodied with an understated, supple entry of raspberry, dried herbs, cedar and graphite – indeed, quite Left Bank in style for Cheval. It is nicely composed, refined with a sedate low acid finish that fans out nicely. Fine. Tasted March 2013.

Jamessuckling.com

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/14/2011

This is very fresh and clean. Full bodied and juicy, with loads of fruit starting with strawberry jam and ending with baskets of fresh fruits. This is exotic and crisp, a truly fabulous 2003 with incredible finesse. Pull the cork on this one after 2014. Find the wine

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/24/2006

The 2003 Cheval Blanc, a tiny production of 5,000 cases, was bottled early to protect its delicate style. It is a light to medium-bodied, superficial, but seductive effort offering notes of cherries, herbs, smoke, and new oak. It possesses moderate depth as well as exceptional elegance and finesse. I suspect enough of its noble terroir comes through to please this estate’s fans. Obviously, the vintage’s severe heat and drought did not benefit Cheval Blanc’s lighter, gravelly soils. This fragrant 2003 is best consumed over the next 12-14 years.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2006

Blackberry, mineral and lightly toasted oak. Subtle and complex. Full-bodied, with wonderfully sweet fruit character and ultrarefined tannins. Goes on and on. Gorgeous and seductive. Best after 2009.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/29/2005

Administrator Pierre Lurton told me that this wine is scheduled to be bottled in late March or early April to preserve its delicate fruit. Highly perfumed and somewhat evolved, it offers up scents of cedarwood, cranberries, mulberries, and currants. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by the attractive, fragrant, sweet bouquet, and fresh, medium-bodied flavors. While there is not significant depth, substance, or concentration, it is a pure, elegant 2003 that may put on weight and perform even better in 4-5 years. My instincts suggest it will not be a long-lived example of Cheval Blanc. The final blend was 56% Cabernet Franc and 44% Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2017.