1997 Cheval Blanc
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Tasting notes
This is more expressive on the nose than Ausone ’97 with sweet red-berried fruit: wild strawberry, orange peel and just a faint hint of brown sugar. Full-bodied n the palate with firm structure, very Merlot-driven and lacking the Cabernet Franc to lend it an additional dimension. Attractive, but a pale imitation of a great Cheval Blanc. Would be dwarfed by the ensuing vintage! Drink now-2018. Tasted September 2006.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Mid ruby with lots of subtle shading at the rim. Quite mature. Complete, well mannered, not fighting the somewhat modest aspirations of the vintage. Light toasty notes but big enough in terms of style to be almost burly. (JR)
Mid ruby with lots of subtle shading at the rim. Quite mature. Complete, well mannered, not fighting the somewhat modest aspirations of the vintage. Light toasty notes but big enough in terms of style to be almost burly. (JR)
Mid-crimson. Not very concentrated. Easy. Inky. Not a singer. Overextracted? (JR)
About the producer
Ch. Cheval Blanc is one the finest producers in Bordeaux. The Saint-Emilion estate’s Cabernet Franc-dominant wines are consistently among the top wines of the vintage.