2020 Chateau Cheval Blanc

Red Bordeaux Blend

France / Bordeaux / Libournais / Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

$5,155
RP 96
Size:
Quantità:

2020 Chateau Cheval Blanc, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France

2020 was an extreme vintage with a very dry summer and a really hot autumn.
The wines reflect perfectly these climatic conditions, with an intense, ripe nose and a powerful, dense tannic structure.

Climatic conditions

2020 begins with rather dry January and February. March is rainy during
the first decade and surprisingly mild between the 18 th and 24 th . April, May
and June are temperate and rainy until June 20.
After this date and until the harvest, the weather is extremely dry (except the
week of August 15 th , 125 mm of rain) and very hot, with excessive temperatures,
regularly approaching 35°C/37°C.
The month of September continues with this summer dynamic, particularly with
hot temperatures.
Over the fifteen days of harvest, 10 days register 30°C.
In brief, 2020 will remain one of the hottest years recorded since 1994.

Water levels

2020 is a year of contrasts: rainy until June 20 th , then, and until the end
of the harvest, an extremely dry and hot weather persists, generating a huge
constraint in the vineyard. Particularly on the gravelly soils, where the water
deficit is intense, especially on the young vines. On August 31 st , 2020 presented
the most deficient water balance ever recorded at Cheval Blanc.

Cycle in the vineyard

2020 is an early vintage from bud break (March 22 nd -23 rd , depending
on the grape variety) to harvest (from September 3 rd to 23 rd ). The mild month
of March stimulated a rapid bud-break. Mid-flowering was recorded on
May 21 st , and mid-veraison on July 19 th for the merlot and August 2 nd for
the cabernet franc. The grapes were homogeneous with little difference
in maturity within the plot.
Although the pressure of mildew was strong at the beginning of the vegetative
cycle, the dry and hot weather conditions gradually neutralised it.

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.

Blend: merlot 65%
cabernet franc 30%
cabernet sauvignon 5%

RP 96

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

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. Reviewed by William Kelley, Issue date: April 2023. Drinking window: 2027 - 2055.

For INTERNATIONAL shipping, click HERE.

We ship within the United States to:

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY.

FREE SHIPPING INSURANCE: We provide FREE carrier insurance for lost or damaged shipments (per carrier terms and conditions.)

FREE WINE STORAGE: We provide FREE 6 Months wine cellar storage from date of purchase. Please choose this option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping for a later date.

SHIPPING: During warm summer weather, we recommend to only ship within the United States with Same Day or Next Day Air service to protect the wines from environmental damage. If you would like to waive this protection by shipping Ground, we will request a waiver be signed.

PACKAGING: Our premium wines need optimal temperature consistency, therefore are packaged in EPS foam shippers with gel pack (when needed) and shipped only during ideal weather temperatures.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, wine bottles will be removed from case and shipped inside a foam shipper box for safety (unless otherwise requested). The wooden case will be shipped separately at Ground service. If faster service is necessary please contact us.

WEATHER HOLD: In adverse temperature conditions, we reserve the right to withhold shipment until ideal temperatures return unless we receive explicit instructions via email to release the wines, voiding any guarantee. We will contact you if a hold is necessary.

FULFILLMENT: Shipments are via UPS.

  • Orders received Monday - Thursday before 2:00 p.m. will typically ship the same day.
  • Orders received Thursday 2:00 p.m. ~ Sunday will ship on Monday.

DELIVERY:

  • Same Day service within Los Angeles Metro area may be available if order is placed before noon, but not guaranteed. Please contact us directly at (626)714-7006 to facilitate expedited service.
  • During extreme temperatures, all shipments are recommended for Next Day Air.

Adult Signature: By law, all shipments of alcohol must be received and authorized by an adult. Our delivery carriers will not release packages without an adult signature and additional charges may be incurred if the package requires withholding or redirection.

*********

We ship within the United States to: Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), and Wyoming (WY).

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
RP 96

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

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. Reviewed by William Kelley, Issue date: April 2023. Drinking window: 2027 - 2055.

2020 Chateau Cheval Blanc, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France

2020 was an extreme vintage with a very dry summer and a really hot autumn.
The wines reflect perfectly these climatic conditions, with an intense, ripe nose and a powerful, dense tannic structure.

Climatic conditions

2020 begins with rather dry January and February. March is rainy during
the first decade and surprisingly mild between the 18 th and 24 th . April, May
and June are temperate and rainy until June 20.
After this date and until the harvest, the weather is extremely dry (except the
week of August 15 th , 125 mm of rain) and very hot, with excessive temperatures,
regularly approaching 35°C/37°C.
The month of September continues with this summer dynamic, particularly with
hot temperatures.
Over the fifteen days of harvest, 10 days register 30°C.
In brief, 2020 will remain one of the hottest years recorded since 1994.

Water levels

2020 is a year of contrasts: rainy until June 20 th , then, and until the end
of the harvest, an extremely dry and hot weather persists, generating a huge
constraint in the vineyard. Particularly on the gravelly soils, where the water
deficit is intense, especially on the young vines. On August 31 st , 2020 presented
the most deficient water balance ever recorded at Cheval Blanc.

Cycle in the vineyard

2020 is an early vintage from bud break (March 22 nd -23 rd , depending
on the grape variety) to harvest (from September 3 rd to 23 rd ). The mild month
of March stimulated a rapid bud-break. Mid-flowering was recorded on
May 21 st , and mid-veraison on July 19 th for the merlot and August 2 nd for
the cabernet franc. The grapes were homogeneous with little difference
in maturity within the plot.
Although the pressure of mildew was strong at the beginning of the vegetative
cycle, the dry and hot weather conditions gradually neutralised it.

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.

Blend: merlot 65%
cabernet franc 30%
cabernet sauvignon 5%

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