Farr Vintners Logo
Crystal Palace 2025 FA Cup Winners

Cheval Blanc 2001

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Franc/Merlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Cheval Blanc

Label

Tasting Notes

The 2001 Cheval Blanc has a slightly more expressive and less feral bouquet compared to the 2000, perhaps better defined, although I miss the menthol aspect that develops on the previous vintage. But give it an hour's aeration and it coheres magnificently, gaining more intensity as it manifests dark berry fruit mixed with potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, quite firm and (for this estate) quite austere and strict, though yet again, after an hour it mellows, gaining more rondeur and sensuality. Whereas initially I leaned toward the millennial Cheval Blanc, the 2001 has its nose in front by the end. Tasted at Cheval Blanc. 2021 - 2040

96
Neal Martin, vinous.com, September 2021

The 2001 Château Cheval Blanc was pure silk—not the biggest wine, by any means—but elegant, with a velvety texture, medium body and beautiful fruit that has reached full maturity. Drink it over the next decade.

93
Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, March 2017
92/94
James Suckling, Wine Spectator, March 2002
Read more tasting notes...

I was surprised by how soft, opulent, even voluptuous the 2001 Cheval Blanc performed out of bottle as this estate’s wines tend to shut down when young. Its deep ruby/purple color was accompanied by sweet aromas of cranberries, black currants, menthol, Asian spices, and underbrush. This seductive blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc reveals a lush sweetness, medium body, and ripe, well-integrated tannin. A racy effort filled with personality, it should be at its finest between 2007-2018.

93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (153), June 2004

Fifty percent of the crop made it into the 2001 Cheval Blanc which includes an unusually high percentage of Merlot (60%, along with 40% Cabernet Franc). As administrator Pierre Lurton told me, it was a year where the vines had to be extensively pruned, so yields were kept low. The Cabernet Franc vineyards produced 32 hectoliters per hectare, and the Merlot vineyards, 39 hectolitres per hectare. The cool September weather resulted in late harvest for this estate. The 2001 has a lot in common with the 1999 and 1988. Its opaque ruby/purple color is accompanied by a sweet bouquet of menthol, ripe black currant, plum, and cherry fruit, and an intriguing mineral characteristic. The wine is medium bodied, with wonderful sweetness and putiry, good definition, a layered texture, and sweet tannin in the finish. It will not make anyone forget the prodigious 2000 or the increasingly impressive 1998, but it is fruit-driven, dense effort with abundant qualities of vibrant acidity. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030. Last tasted, 1/03.

92/94
Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book (4), December 2003
92/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (146), April 2003

Fifty percent of the crop made it into the 2001 Cheval Blanc, which includes an unusually high percentage of Merlot (65%, along with 35% Cabernet Franc). The 2001 has a lot in common with the 1999 and 1988. Its opaque ruby/purple color is accompanied by a sweet bouquet of menthol, ripe black currant, plum, and cherry fruit, and an intriguing mineral characteristic. The wine is medium-bodied, with wonderful sweetness and purity, good definition, a light texture, and sweet tannin in the finish. It will not make anyone forget the prodigious 2000 or the increasingly impressive 1998, but it is a fruit-driven, dense effort with abundant quantities of vibrant acidity. As administrator Pierre Lurton told me, in this vintage the vines had to be extensively pruned (and crop-thinned) so yields were kept low. The Cabernet Franc vineyards produced 32 hectoliters per hectare, and the Merlot vineyards, 39 hectoliters per hectare. The cool September weather resulted in a late harvest for this estate. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.

92/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (140), April 2002

At nearly ten years of age, the Cheval ’01 has impressive precision on the nose with the Cabernet Franc component beginning to make its presence felt. The succulent black fruit now contend with herbaceous, dried meat scents with just a touch of truffle. The palate is full-bodied with good intensity. Ripe, dusky tannins, still quite closed with a structure, graphite tinged finish, and it shows very fine poise if not the complexity of a top class Cheval Blanc. Give it another 3-4 years.

93
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, July 2011
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.