Tasting Notes
Vinous 91
Good full ruby-red. Knockout, complex nose offers vibrant aromas of raspberry, sour red cherry, strawberry, licorice and violet, complicated by white pepper and rose. Then moderately dense and fresh in the mouth, with delicately spicy notes of redcurrant, strawberry, licorice, coffee and minerals. This rather elegantly styled wine finishes bright and fresh, with firm, highly polished tannins. This midweight Cheval Blanc lacks the density and concentration of the better vintages, but it has an amazingly pure nose of cabernet franc (I’d score this 95 or more for its aromas) that is a joy to inhale. For those with deep pockets, it’s also a fantastic food wine, and a simply amazing buy, since it will cost much less than many other more sought-after Cheval Blanc vintages.
Robert Parker 90
Tasted at the infamous a oeDodgy Bottle Offlinea . The Cabernet Franc dominates the nose on the ’93 Cheval: cedar, sandalwood, cooked meats, smoke with just a hint of wild mint. The palate is well balanced, again, the Cabernet Franc a oeover-seasoninga this masculine Cheval Blanc, leading to a leafy, savoury finish that would benefit from a little more depth. This is a very agreeable Cheval but it is maturing quicker than I expected. Drink now-2013. Tasted July 2009.
Anticipated maturity: 2010-2013