Château Cheval Blanc 2010 – Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 1er Grand Cru Classé A

The nose is elegant, racy, well-built and offers a beautiful precision, definition, deepness and intensity (in finesse). This wine should be decanted. It reveals notes of wild blackberry, wild cassis, small notes of grey pepper associated with small touches of graphite, ripe plum as well as very fine hints of fig, dry raspberry, liquorice a very discreet hint of camphor, pencil lead, an imperceptible hint of green cardamom and black tea. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, very discreetly tight and offers a juicy/acidulous frame, a beautiful gourmandize/definition, a beautiful creamy/fresh touch as well as a very beautiful finesse of the grain, an aromatic purity and matter/density. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy/quite ripe cassis, fleshy/pulpy Quetsche plum, small notes of crushed wild strawberry associated with hints of liquorice, caramelization, fig, cocoa, toasted hazelnut, sweet spices and a subtle hint of black olive. Tannins are elegant, silky and well-built. Good length. A very fine salinity and power on the finish/persistence. A beautiful marriage of extremes: concentration, matter and freshness. Tannins are full of finesse.