Formerly known as vin de Figeac, this wine was first sold under the name Cheval Blanc in 1852. The first gold medal won by Cheval Blanc came at the 1878 Universal Exhibition in Paris and that distinction appears on the label.

Each vineyard plot is vinified separately. At the start of fermentation, the juice is gently pumped over three times daily. As fermentation proceeds, pump-over frequency decreases and is eventually stopped when the desired level of extraction has been reached.

The young wine is aged 16 to 18 months in new French oak barrels. Six to seven different coopers are used to ensure complexity and harmony. During this period, the wine is racked by hand five to seven times. Blending takes place after the first three months.

The 2020 Cheval Blanc is a Bordeaux Blend red wine produced in the Saint Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France. Known for its power and density, this wine has garnered high praise from several esteemed wine reviewers.

Roger Voss from Wine Enthusiast awarded the wine a score of 97, noting its "power and density" along with a "perfumed intensity of black fruits and ripe tannins." Voss suggests that the wine, while still young, already shows its shape and praises its balance of ripe, sweet fruit and fresh structure. He recommends drinking this wine from 2027 onward.

Decanter's review, which scored the wine 98, described it as "satisfying, edgy and seductive." The reviewer highlighted the wine's "delicate floral aromas, blue fruit and liquorice aspects on the nose," and its "rich and powerful" palate. The review emphasized the wine's clarity, precision, and purity, especially in its blackcurrant and black cherry fruit flavors.

Jane Anson gave the 2020 Cheval Blanc a perfect score of 100, calling it "intense" with "layer upon layer of blueberry, raspberry, pomegranate, fennel, liquorice, crayon, espresso, and crushed rocks." Anson notes that the wine comes from the driest year at Cheval Blanc since 1959, with 71% of production from the 39-hectare estate. She also pointed out that this vintage will be bottled as Premier Grand Cru Classé A until the 2022 vintage, adding an interesting footnote for collectors.

Antonio Galloni from Vinous also awarded the wine a near-perfect score of 99, praising its "eternal, seamless and exceptionally beautiful" character. He highlighted the wine's "mind-blowing balance" and complex bouquet featuring notes of "rose petal, blood orange, raspberry jam, and cinnamon."

Jeb Dunnuck gave another perfect score of 100, describing the wine as both powerful and elegant, with a "kaleidoscopic bouquet of sweet red and black fruits, spring flowers, spicy incense, loamy earth, and smoked tobacco." He recommends enjoying the wine now with ample air or letting it age for 7-8 years.

Wine Spectator and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate both gave the wine scores of 96. Wine Spectator's review noted its "well of dark currant, fig and mulberry fruit flavors," while Robert Parker's Wine Advocate highlighted its "aromas of mulberries, plums and cherries mingled with hints of rose petals, licorice, sweet spices and lilac."

Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider scored the wine 99, praising its bouquet of flowers and spices and describing the palate as having "countless layers of cashmere textured fruits" and "refined, silky tannins."

In summary, the 2020 Cheval Blanc is a highly acclaimed wine known for its complexity, balance, and potential for long-term aging. It features a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with an alcohol content of 14.5%. This wine promises to be a remarkable addition to any collection, offering both immediate pleasure and the potential for further development over decades.