The 2002 Château Cheval Blanc is a beautifully poised and finely structured expression from one of Saint-Émilion’s most revered estates. Cheval Blanc, a Premier Grand Cru Classé A, is celebrated for producing wines of aromatic complexity, textural finesse and remarkable longevity. Despite the challenges of the 2002 Bordeaux vintage, Cheval Blanc excelled, crafting a wine that showcases purity, precision and the estate’s incomparable terroir.
Sitting on the border of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, the estate’s unique mosaic of gravel, clay and sand contributes to one of Bordeaux’s most distinctive blends. Cheval Blanc is famously Merlot-driven yet equally reliant on its significant Cabernet Franc component, which delivers fragrance, lift and structure — qualities that shine in cooler years such as 2002.
The wine opens with refined aromas of black cherry, red plum, cassis, violet, cedar and tobacco leaf. Notes of pencil shavings, forest floor, dried herbs and gentle spice add complexity. On the palate, the 2002 Cheval Blanc is medium-bodied and elegant, showcasing silky tannins, bright acidity and a harmonious balance between red and dark fruits. The Cabernet Franc is especially expressive, contributing aromatic lift, savoury detail and a fine-boned structure that carries through to the long, graceful finish.
With two decades of age, the wine has evolved beautifully, revealing secondary nuances of truffle, leather, dried rose, cocoa and earthy minerality. It remains vibrant and composed, demonstrating Cheval Blanc’s ability to transcend vintage conditions through meticulous vineyard work and masterful blending.
Region: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Classification: Premier Grand Cru Classé A
Blend: Merlot & Cabernet Franc (approx. ~55/45 typical)
Alcohol: ~13%
Drinking Window: Now – 2035+
A refined and mature Cheval Blanc that highlights elegance over power — a superb bottle for collectors who appreciate nuance, perfumed complexity and timeless Right Bank sophistication.
