The 2006 Château Cheval Blanc is a rich, powerful wine that blends 54% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. It boasts a deep, crushed blackberry color and a nose that is intense with ripe red fruit aromas, hints of blond tobacco, and a slight woody note. The palate is voluminous, combining the rich texture of Merlot with the aromatic finesse of Cabernet Franc. It is full-bodied, with sweet tannins and a long finish. Despite its power, the wine is structured with excellent precision and mineral richness, showcasing the complexity of the 2006 vintage. Though still firm and tannic, it holds great aging potential, evolving beautifully over the next decade or more.

The Wine Advocate | RP 97
Published: May 30, 2016
Drink: 2019-2040

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London.The 2006 Chateau Cheval Blanc is a blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc. It has the most floral bouquet of the four Serie A Grand Cru Classe: an explosion of crushed violets and potpourri, hints of leather and cigar box, the Cabernet Franc clearly lending this complexity and character. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. It feels wonderfully structured and comes with an insistent grip that coats the mouth. This is backward and almost surly, but you have to stand back and admire the precision and arching structure on the mineral-rich finish. Top-dog Saint Emilion? That's for sure. Tasted January 2016. 

Decanter | D 92
Published: Sep 10, 2019
Drink: 2019-2032

September rainfall hit St Emilion quite hard, and there was some dilution in the grapes, and careful selection and sorting were required. The 2006 Cheval Blanc has recently shown well but this bottle was not entirely satisfactory, though far from faulty. The nose is ripe and intense, with a grapy raspberry character and considerable poise and finesse. On the palate it's still firm and tannic; it's certainly concentrated, but quite grippy too and lacks the charm of the nose. A long chewy finish makes one wonder how the wine will evolve, but mature Cheval Blanc is unlikely to disappoint.

Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.00%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 45% Cabernet Franc 55% Merlot

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 18
Published: May 4, 2016
Drink: 2014-2032

Tasted blind. Fresh and lively on the nose. Juicy and lively. Sinewy and correct. Inky and sappy. Racy. Lovely wine. Tight and with lots of future. Introvert.

Chateau-cheval-blanc.com

Since it won its first medal, still featured on its labels, at the Universal Exhibition of London in 1862, Château Cheval Blanc has maintained its place as one of the world’s greatest wines. Its grace, alchemy and elegance are the incarnation of refined French culture, of unparalleled quality.

Château Cheval Blanc has been situated in the commune of Saint-Emilion for 200 years. It covers 39.5 hectares divided into 55 plots, each of which is different and unique. Each plot has its own characteristics according to its age, size and, in particular, its soil and grape variety. Each plot is vinified separately so that it can express its individuality fully before blending and so that it can contribute to the overall coherence of each vintage.

Château Cheval Blanc has always been managed with longevity in mind: all the particularities of this legendary Bordeaux have been preserved throughout the years – its terroir, grape varieties and style – whilst its qualities continue to become more refined and assertive.  Thanks to the mineral and vegetal heritage and increasingly rigorous know-how, Château Cheval Blanc has made a place for itself on the most prestigious tables across the globe for over a century and a half.

2006 TASTING NOTE
This warm and dry year was particularly favourable to Merlot. While it may not have the extraordinary concentration of 2005, 2006 Cheval Blanc is a rich, powerful wine with ripe fruit aromas.

Crushed blackberry colour, dark with good depth.
Powerful and creamy nose with aromas of very ripe red fruits. Notes of blond tobacco, slight woody note.
Ample, rich and voluminous attack, combining the fatness of Merlot and the aromatic finesse of Cabernet Franc. Aromas dominated by an outstanding fruitiness. Sweet tannins and a long finish.

Blending: Merlot  54 % Cabernet Franc  45 % Cabernet Sauvignon  1 %