Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
par Ian D'Agata le 31/08/2014
Bright red-ruby. Ripe, scented aromas of raspberry, strawberry, violet, licorice, cedar and wild herbs on the knockout nose. Wonderfully sappy and juicy but not thick, with intense, very pure red berry, white pepper, floral and cedar flavors showing terrific thrust and lift. Finishes dense and long, with repeating floral, white pepper and red berry nuances. Boasts a serious spine for cellaring, and the youthfully chewy tannins will need time. An essence of cabernet franc: when Cheval Blanc aces this variety, it's one of the most unique--and greatest--wines in the world. There just aren't too many wines anywhere (Lafleur excepted, perhaps) that can express the variety like Cheval does. Apparently the cabernet franc percentage was increased to 57%, up from the 52% I had been told was in the blend at the Primeurs.