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Chateau Cheval Blanc is an exceptional wine, as you might expect when looking at the price! The vineyard was originally part of what was Chateau Figeac, a great wine in St. Emilion in the early 1800s. It was split off, along with other parcels, when the owner of Chateau Figeac broke up the more significant estate. Since then, the wine was classified as one of two "Premier Grand Cru Classe A" in St. Emilion, the other being Chateau Ausone. One-third can be said to be closer to Pomerol, with which Cheval Blanc shares a border, one-third close to Graves, where much of the soil is quite gravelly, and the last third typically St. Emilion. Taken together, these terroirs seem to produce something quite special. The vineyard is planted to about 50% Cabernet Franc, 47% Merlot, and the balance of Cabernet Sauvignon.
100 Points - Vinous
A wine of exquisite aromatic depth and grace, the 2000 Cheval Blanc is thoroughly captivating. All the elements fall into place in an effortless, gracious wine. It's frankly hard to move past the 2000 Cheval because, at this point, I want nothing to compete with it.
99 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Coming out of a relatively dormant state, this 2000 is a spectacular Cheval Blanc. Of recent vintages, I think only the 2009 can give it a run for its money. A blend of 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Franc, the wine has a sweet nose of menthol, melted licorice, boysenberry, blueberry, and cassis. A broad wine with compelling purity, a layered texture, and sweet tannin, with hints of coffee and earth in the background, is the best Cheval Blanc since 1990 and before 2009. It is a legend in the making and can be drunk now, as the tannins have nearly melted away. This is a beauty with incredibly complex aromatics. Drink it over the next 25-30 years.
98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck Closed and backward over the past decade, the 2000 Chateau Cheval Blanc seems to have turned the corner and is drinking spectacularly well today, with the hallmark elegance and complexity of this estate front and center. Sweet red and black fruits, spice box, dried flowers, and forest floor notes all develop with time in the glass, and it has a balanced, resolved style on the palate that's a joy to drink. The 2000 is a blend of 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Franc, and while mature, it has another two decades or more of prime drinking ahead of it.
97 Points - Wine Enthusiast In 2000, it seems the Cabernet Franc made Cheval Blanc. It has given a mysterious, wonderful perfume to the intense richness of the Merlot. It has less of the explosive power of Ausone, it is more subtle and elegant, reserving its explosion of richness for the end when a welter of black fruits seems to go on forever.
95 Points - Decanter
Deep to very deep red. Sumptuous aromas of raspberries, blackberries, and menthol, full ripe and perfumed but restrained. The rich attack still shows powerful tannins, and youthful, firm acidity. It's taut and spicy, subtle and complex, with tension on the finish, which is very long.
94 Points - James Suckling
A very nice nose of blackberries, dark chocolate, and flowers. Full-bodied and smokey, with a meaty, mushroom, tobacco, and berry character. Wonderfully long, long finish to this muscular wine with fine tannins.
94 Points - Wine Spectator
A light menthol hint gives way to bay and tobacco leaf notes, which hold steady throughout, while the core of dark currant and fig fruit flavours takes on a warm, macerated, almost hedonistic feel. The finish has a tarry hint but is very polished and refined overall, with finely beaded acidity and a light iron accent. This is so caressing and languid, that you almost lose sight of how long it is. Lovely.