Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Intense black forest berries, a hint of juniper, herbs and tobacco, blueberries, candied mandarin zest, very multi-faceted bouquet. Full-bodied, highly elegant, ripe heart cherries, finesse-rich structure, seamless, perfect tannins, a highly delicate wine with enormous length, immense minerality, designed for a long ageing period, a hint of nougat in the finish, an enormous promise for the future. - Peter Moser

Deep red in color, with vivid purple and black highlights. An intense, refined, fruity, and subtle nose. Hints of refreshed black fruit. Then, the wine becomes deeper and more complex with a swirl of the glass. Ultra-meticulous on the attack, with a fine richness that glides across the palate and unfolds slowly, progressively, meltingly, where the structure builds gradually, delivering a wealth of flavors. The wine soars to a complex and noble finish, magical and impossible to spit out. I am impressed by such aromatic power for such a low alcohol level: 12.7%, the lowest since 2009. In this respect, Cheval Blanc 2025 is reminiscent of a more common situation in Lafite. I also note that this cru, celebrated for its Cabernet Franc, contains less than Merlot, in a climate where some want to change all the grape varieties in Bordeaux, Merlot in particular. Blend: 51% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. pH: 3.76 - IPT: 78, well above average (65). Note that this figure is 82 for the exceptional 2010 vintage. Yield: 15 hl/ha. 85% first wine. As a side note, Cheval Blanc has never produced a great vintage with a small harvest. In 2025, the weight of a Cabernet Franc berry varied between 0.7 and 0.9 g due to insufficient juice. The weight of a Merlot berry was 1.1 g. The s(more...)

A blend of 51% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2025 Château Cheval Blanc stands out once again as among the finest wines of the vintage in Bordeaux. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of dark berries and cherries mingled with notions of blood orange and iris, it's full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with terrific mid-palate density, sweet tannins and a long, vibrant, violet-inflected finish. With its striking aromas, intensity of flavor and resolutely classical proportions (checking in at 12.7% alcohol and pH of 3.76), the 2025 gives every indication of being one of the great Cheval Blancs of the decade. - 98 to 100 Points - William Kelley

Purple in hue, the wine explodes with an array of flowers, smoky truffles, black plums, black cherries, blue fruits, orange rind, tobacco leaf, licorice, and chocolate in the perfume. However, the palate is the main event. The mouthfeel perfectly balances its hedonistic tendencies with a touch of reticence, in a good way. There is length, volume, intensity, opulence, and lift. The seamless finish provides silk and velvet tannins, allowing the depth and purity of the fruit to stand out in the extensive, vibrant finish. The key to the vintage was the combination of a dry summer, which lowered yields, and the much-needed August rains, which brought about full maturity. 46 of 47 parcels were placed into the blend. It is important to note that no second wine was produced. Even more importantly, very little Cheval was produced. Yields were a scant 15 hectoliters per hectare, making this the lowest yields in the history of the estate. The wine is made from 51% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. 12.7% ABV, 3.6 pH. The harvest began September 18 for the Merlot, finishing their Cabernet Franc on October 3. Drink from 2030-2070. - 98 to 100 Points - Jeff Leve