2008 Cheval Blanc
By Chateau Cheval Blanc
2008 Cheval Blanc from Chateau Cheval Blanc, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
In the realm of fine wines, few evoke such reverence as those borne from the hallowed grounds of Chateau Cheval Blanc in Saint-Emilion. The 2008 Cheval Blanc is a spectacle of vinous artistry, sculpted by an unpredictable season that eventually culminated in wines of stunning character and profundity.
A Vintage Defined by Intrepid Climatic Twists
The growing season of 2008 harried vintners with its mercurial swings. An initially cool and wet start gave way to a magnificent Indian summer, proffering salvation for the ripening grapes. It is this halcyon close that has defined the exceptional quality of the 2008 Cheval Blanc, embedding within its essence a tenacious grip and kaleidoscope of subtleties.
Harmony in Complexity
One finds in this particular vintage an opulent blend where Merlot and Cabernet Franc dance in harmony, offering vivid notes of smoked herb and blackcurrant, superimposed by a patina of fine tannins and an undercurrent of mineral-laced earthiness indicative of its terroir. Notably, this vintage exhibits an alluring freshness and balance that secures not just its immediate appeal, but promises considerable longevity.
The vigour of 2008's climatic challenges seems to have been met with a fortitude that only a producer such as Chateau Cheval Blanc could muster. With careful cellaring, this vintage has evolved into a complex tapestry - one that intertwines power with elegance.
An Acuity for the Astute Investor
For astute collectors and investors, the 2008 Cheval Blanc from Chateau Cheval Blanc represents a remarkable intersection of challenge and triumph. A wine that stands as an exemplar of Bordeaux's resilience and as an accolade to the adept hands at Chateau Cheval Blanc, this investment piece resonates with both pedigree and promise.
In conclusion, whether it is to be cradled in the cellar as it continues its maturation journey, or enjoyed in its current state of serene majesty, the 2008 Cheval Blanc is a testament to the enigmatic alchemy between vine and vigneron. It remains one of the most compelling offerings for those seeking both pleasure and portfolio enrichment within the sphere of premier cru wines.
Market price (SGD)
$7,430.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
278.13
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. The Cheval Blanc 2008 is a great wine. Here, this bottle has a pure, elegant bouquet that unfurls with each swirl of the glass. It offers a smorgasbord of red fruits: wild strawberry, a touch of kirsch, cranberry and just a touch of lifted alcohol. The new oak is seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins that are ripe and rounded, perhaps belying the sheer weight of its sweet core of fruit. It is a little more ostentatious than I expected and blind, I conjectured whether it could be Chateau Angelus? Superb. Tasted January 2012.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2012
I am really impressed with this. It is powerful and rich with so much blueberry, vanilla and spice on the nose and palate. It's full and very spicy, and fruit on the palate, but remains refined and subtle. Rich and polished tannins. This needs at least five years of bottle age to come around.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, December 20th 2010
The 2008 Cheval Blanc (55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc) is a winner from this underrated, classic vintage. Notes of forest floor, Asian plum sauce, black currants, sweet cherries and spice are followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with deep fruit, admirable purity, and a long, textured finish. There is not a hard edge to this wine, and in all likelihood, it can be drunk now or cellared for two decades.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 1 May 2011