Cheval Blanc 2020

Cheval Blanc is a prestigious winery in Bordeaux, France, known for producing exceptional and sought-after wines. Their vineyards in Saint-Émilion are planted on diverse soils, resulting in wines with complexity and character. The wines are predominantly made from Cabernet Franc and Merlot, showcasing a perfect blend of grape varieties. Cheval Blanc wines are elegant, fine, and have excellent aging potential. With limited production and high demand, they are highly regarded by wine enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.

In 2020, Cheval Blanc faced extreme conditions with a very dry summer and hot harvest, resulting in powerful wines with intense aromas and dense tannins. The vintage was marked by early development, rapid progress from bud break to harvest, and challenges like mildew pressure that were mitigated by hot and dry weather. Yielded a solar vintage with harvest from September 3rd to 23rd.

Tasting notes:
The aromas are typical of a warm vintage. Black fruit mingles with notes of garrigue and pepper. The minty freshness holds the aromatic ensemble well. The attack is opulent. The power and density of the wine are remarkable, and the mouth lingers thanks to a rich and full tannin structure. The wine lengthens as it tightens to an impressive finish. 

Ratings:

James Suckling 98 points: ”Lots of blueberries and flowers such as violets and crushed stone. This is very structured and muscular with minerally tannins that run the length of the wine. Very closed. Polished texture that gives it class and presence. This is one for the cellar. 65% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Try after 2030.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 96 points: “The 2020 Cheval Blanc wafts from the glass with aromas of mulberries, plums and cherries mingled with hints of rose petals, licorice, sweet spices and lilac. Full-bodied, broad and voluptuous, it's layered and fleshy, with a ripe core of fruit, sweet tannins and a long, expansive finish. While purists will gravitate toward the purer and more precise and perfumed 2019, the 2020 will appeal to readers who love the richest, most powerful expressions of Cheval Blanc.”

Region: Bordeaux, France
Grape(s) Varieties: 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Abv: 14%
Vol.: 750ml
Barrel ageing: 16 months with 100% new barrels

白馬酒莊（Cheval Blanc）是法國波爾多地區的備受推崇的酒莊，以生產出色且備受追捧的葡萄酒而聞名。他們在聖愛美濃（Saint-Émilion）的葡萄園種植在多樣化的土壤上，造就了複雜而富有個性的葡萄酒。他們的葡萄酒主要由卡本妮佛朗（Cabernet Franc）和梅樂葡萄（Merlot）釀製，展現了完美的葡萄品種融合。雪花布朗克的葡萄酒優雅、精緻，具有出色的陳年潛力。由於產量有限且需求旺盛，它們在全球葡萄酒愛好者和收藏家中享有很高的聲譽。

 在2020年，Cheval Blanc面臨極端條件，夏季非常乾燥，收穫時期天氣炎熱，導致釀造出具有濃烈香氣和濃密單寧的強勁葡萄酒。這一年的特點包括早熟發育，從萌芽到收穫的進展迅速，以及通過炎熱乾燥的天氣緩解了諸如霜霉壓力之類的挑戰。採摘時間為9月3日至23日，出產了一款太陽能葡萄酒。

品酒筆記：
香氣典型於溫暖年份。黑色水果與鄉村風味和胡椒的味道交織在一起。薄荷的清新感使得香氣整體保持得很好。口感豐富且開胃。酒的力量和濃度令人矚目，豐富而飽滿的單寧結構使得口感持久。隨著酒變得更加濃縮，長度也增加，收尾令人印象深刻。

評分：

James Suckling 98分：“充滿了藍莓和紫羅蘭等花朵以及碎石的香氣。酒體非常結實肌肉感，伴隨著貫穿整支酒的礦物質般的單寧。非常收斂。光滑的質地賦予了它優雅和氣派。這是一個值得陳釀的葡萄酒。65%梅洛、30%品麗珠和5%赤霞珠。建議2030年後品嘗。”

 Robert Parker's Wine Advocat：“2020年的Cheval Blanc從玻璃中飄出桑葚、李子和櫻桃的香氣，夾雜著玫瑰花瓣、甘草、甜香料和紫丁香的微妙氣息。酒體飽滿、寬廣、豐腴，層次分明，肉感十足，具有成熟的果味、甜美的單寧和悠長廣闊的收尾。純粹主義者會更青睞更純淨、更精確和芳香濃郁的2019年份，而2020年的款式將吸引那些喜愛Cheval Blanc最豐富、最有力量表達的讀者。”

產區：法國波爾多
葡萄品種：65% 梅洛、30% 品麗珠、5% 赤霞珠
酒精度：14%
容量：750毫升
木桶陳年：100%新木桶陳釀16個月