2006 Château Cheval Blanc

A less exuberant vintage than the 2009 and 2010 that we tasted at the same time, this is a classically knitted-together Cabernet Franc-dominant year, with the emphasis on dark fruits edging towards tertiary brambled character at 17 years old. Mint leaf, tobacco, smoked earth, dried herbs and crushed rose petals. Still plenty of life and grip in this wine, now in its drinking window but with zero rush, and likely to stay at this luscious, inviting moment for decades to come. 50% new oak.

A great moment to begin drinking this, although still young at 15 years old with no rush to get going. Rich berry fruits, huge depth to the black cherry, textured raspberry and bilberry flavours, firm and fresh. Just the beginning of tobacco, fennel, truffle and crushed stone. 3.94ph. A year that really favoured Merlot, and its seductive appeal is fully on display.

A blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc, the 2006 Chateau Cheval Blanc is a classic wine from this under-the-radar vintage and offers a perfumed, complex bouquet of red and black fruits, dried flowers, earth, spice box, and tobacco. With medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, elegant texture, ripe tannin and impressive length, it’s approachable today yet will keep for two decades or more.