Chateau Cheval Blanc   Cheval Blanc

2007 Cheval Blanc

By Chateau Cheval Blanc

2007 Cheval Blanc from Chateau Cheval Blanc, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux

The esteemed 2007 vintage of Cheval Blanc from Chateau Cheval Blanc, graced by the fickle but ultimately benevolent climate of Saint-Emilion, stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of quality by this emblematic estate. My own enigmatic journey with this wine can only be likened to an intricate ballet of the senses, a testament to each year's unique portrayal crafted by time and terroir.

 

Investment and Indulgence: Bordeaux’s Time-honoured Treasure

The tapestry of 2007 across Bordeaux was one of precision and providence. In Saint-Emilion, the climactic sequence fostered a sparser berry set that led to wines with a delicate concentration, intricate aromatics and endurance for maturation. Against this backdrop, 2007 Cheval Blanc echoes the meticulousness its terroir vehemently commands.

This particular iteration from Chateau Cheval Blanc exhibits a mélange suggestive of crushed flowers and ripe red forest fruits ensnared by a subtle hint of game and earthiness - a hallmark of complexity. The intricate lattice of structure and finesse underscores its investment trajectory which, coupled with its cerebral charm, makes for an invigorating addition to any discerning collector's repertoire.

 

An Epoch Defining Saint-Emilion

The palate is greeted with sophistication; the wine unfurls gracefully with supple tannins and a refined acidity which carries its nuanced flavours into an enduring finish. As a vintage often shadowed by its illustrious successors, 2007 in fact mirrors none but itself - an intellectual creation from Chateau Cheval Blanc that intrigues contemplatively.

Focused, yet withholding just enough mystery to provoke further exploration, the 2007 Cheval Blanc is a paragon for those attuned to the subtleties that only such vintages dare to exhibit. As it continues to evolve in bottle, it suggests not only an expeditious stir in Bourdeaux’s illustrious lineage but also its merited place within an astute investor’s cellar.

As my tasting notes retire onto paper, I am left with the lasting impression that the 2007 Cheval Blanc from Chateau Cheval Blanc tells a compelling story – one where each savoured sip narrates a chapter from Saint-Emilion's almanac of climatic artistry.

Current market price

£4,570.00

12x75cl

Highest score

94

POP score

326.43

Scores and tasting notes

94

Tasted blind at the 2007 Bordeaux horizontal in Southwold. Very broody and peppery on the nose: ripe Cabernet Franc in excelsis, very fine definition – this has to be Lafleur. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, gritty and tertiary flavours, a touch of spice, almost curmudgeonly towards the finish – but that would be Lafleur! Hints of chestnut and cooked meat towards the finish, this remains a more masculine, Left Bank style of Cheval Blanc but it certainly has class. Tasted January 2011.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal Nov 2011

92

Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 Cheval Blanc has a refined bouquet with scents of red berry fruit, leather, iron filing and orange rind, perhaps a little more advanced than some of its Saint Emilion peers, but still attractive. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin on the entry. This is a "stocky" Cheval Blanc, with the Cabernet Franc component really forming the backbone to this wine, imparting bell pepper and spice box notes towards the grippy finish. I think it might have peaked a couple of years ago, so drink now and over the next 15 years. Tasted February 2017.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 30 June 2017

91

A strong effort in this vintage, the evolved, perfumed, purple-tinged 2007 Cheval Blanc offers complex aromas of menthol, cedarwood, mulberries, and black currants. Medium-bodied with beautiful fruit, sweet tannin, and a heady finish, this lovely wine should drink well for 10-15 years.

Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #188 April 2010

Vintage performance