Château Cheval Blanc

Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A

2018 Château Cheval Blanc

MAR 19 54M 40CF 6CS. Ruby. Blueberries, cassis, some spices, scented, red fruity, some floral notes, layered and detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, layered and detailed, nuanced, long. 74% of the total production is in the Grand Vin. 96-98

2018 Le Petit Cheval

MAR 19 70M 30CF Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some scented notes, faint coffee and raspberries note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, detailed, long. Just ten percent of the production. 92-94

2017 Château Cheval Blanc

APR 18 56 M 30 CF 14 CS 50.000 bottles made. Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, scented, blueberries, juicy, fruity, blackberries. Intense and layered, minerals. Some mint and floral notes. Exotic spices if it gets some air. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, liquorice, anise, detailed, minerals, bit tight and structured, long. 96-98

2017 Le Petit Cheval

APR 18 48 CF 52 M 4000 bottles made. Scented, red berries, some floral notes, bell peppers mint and liquorice, nuanced and detailed, minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, spices, liquorice, nuanced, elegant, long. Textbook Cabernet Franc. 93-95

2016 Château Cheval Blanc

APR 17 Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, some spices, anise, floral, detailed, violets, minerals, exotic, layered, mint notes, beautiful. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blackberries, nuanced, layered, deep, refreshing, stunning balance, long. 98-100

2016 Le Petit Cheval

APR 17 Ruby. Blackberries, fruity, anise, some spices nose. Vanilla quite up front. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, raspberries, anise, fresh and fruity, long. 91-93

2015 Château Cheval Blanc

NOV 18 Ruby. Scented, floral, layered, detailed, nuanced, intense, exotic, both floral notes and spiciness. Stunning nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise, nuanced, detailed, layered, spices, incredible balance of texture and body, superb length. Smooth and silky. Drink from 2030 to 2080. 98

2015 Château Cheval Blanc

APR 16 Ruby. Dark fruits, some red berries, spices, floral, fruity, scented, red berries, lovely nose, light exotic notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed, nuanced. Leaner, fruit and texture, elegant, a somewhat leaner and a touch more vibrant Cheval Blanc, long. 95-97

2014 Château Cheval Blanc

APR 15 Ruby. Scented, exotic, fruity, spices, dark berries, some plums, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, detailed, layered, intense and long. 93-95

2014 Petit Cheval

APR 15 Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, vanilla, spices, some exotic notes. Fresh acidity. Ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, fairly detailed, good length. 89-91

2013 Château Cheval Blanc
APR 14 Ruby. Shut nose, dark berries, vanilla, floral and scented nose, spices, maybe a faint hint of the exoticness typical of Cheval. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, fresh and nuanced, leaner, elegant and refreshing, long. 92-94

2013 Petit Cheval
APR 14 Ruby. Fruity, scented and dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, fresh, leaner, slight herbal note, good length. 86-88

2012 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 17 Ruby. Scented, blackberries, blueberries, some red fruit notes behind, spices and faint floral note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite lively, refreshing, detailed, elegant texture, playful and smooth, utterly charming, long. 94

2012 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 15 Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, ripe, intense, quite exotic, superb nose with air, fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, detailed, lively, ripe, elegant and smooth, long. 2020-2035 94

2012 Château Cheval Blanc

APR 13 Deep ruby. Fruity, layered and some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite silky, lovely fruit, long and nuanced. 92-94

2012 Petit Cheval

APR 13 Deep ruby. Fruity, elegant and layered nose. Fresh acidity. Ripe tannins, elegant and velvety, fresh and superb texture, quite long. 88-90

2011 Château Cheval Blanc

OCT 17 Ruby. Dark fruits, spices, blackberries, touch of liquorice, with air, floral notes, exotic spices, intense and rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, juicy, blackberries, spices, firm backbone, long and intense. 96

2011 Château Cheval Blanc

SEP 15 Ruby. Intense nose, dark berries, spices, scented, tight, nuanced with more air, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, dark fruits, some raspberries, vanilla, spices, structured, layered and intense, beautiful finish. 96

2011 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 15 Ruby. Dark fruits, ripe cassis and blueberries nose, intense and light spicy note, somewhat scented, still tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, dark berries, intense, some red berries, somewhat astringent and structured and will need years in the cellar, give it fifteen years. Very long. 2027-2065 96

2010 Château Cheval Blanc

MAY 17 Ruby. Dense, almost opaque nose at first, needs serious air to open up, rich and lush, exotic, deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, layered, rich, intense and deep, spicy, incredible concentration yet nuanced and layered. Extremely long. 99

2010 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 15 Ruby. Scented, ripe, fruity, dark berries, exotic, deep, ripe and intense, layered and nuanced, real depth and more and more with air, ads layers upon layers. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, intense, layered, detailed, fruity, refreshing, nuanced and very long indeed. 2030-2075 98

2010 Château Cheval Blanc

MAR 15 Deep ruby. Intense, ripe, jammy, blueberries, blackberries, spices, touch of bell peppers far behind that give a little freshness to the rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, intense, ripe, fruity, sweet fruits, detailed, bit warm (14,5) finish, long. 96

2010 Château Cheval Blanc

NOV 14 Deep ruby. Ripe, intense, exotic, fruity, tight nose, dark fruits, almost sweet of forest fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, intense, sweet fruits, detailed, seductive and nuanced, very long indeed. 97

2010 Château Cheval Blanc

APR 11 Deep ruby, floral high-notes, ripe berries, compact, intense and complex as few, fresh acidity, superb tannins, gorgeous texture, massive yet layered, very long finish. Will need a lot of cellaring. 94-96 (Could turn into a legend....)

2010 Le Petit Cheval

APR 11 Deep ruby, elegant nose, spices, eucalyptus, dark berries and chocolate, more exotic than the compact big brother, at least at this stage, beautiful texture, elegant acidity, heavy of ripe tannins, long length. 91-93

2009 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 17 Ruby. Intense, fruity, floral, spices, layered, so much more open right away than the 2010 a few weeks back, yet almost more depth and fragrance. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, layered, lush, smooth, superb texture, peacock tail. Incredible. 100

2009 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 15 Ruby. Exotic dark fruits, intense, detailed, rich, intense, layered and nuanced, leather, anise, fruit in abundance. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, ripe, detailed, nuanced, playful, ripe, rich, superb texture, has added layers since my last bottle, extremely long. 2025-2075 100

2009 Château Cheval Blanc

MAR 15 Deep ruby. Scented, rich, ripe, exotic, seductive, more together now than last bottle on the nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruity, intense, layered, dark fruits palate, very long. 96

2009 Château Cheval Blanc
NOV 13 Ruby. Ripe, scented, barrel spices. Blueberries, vanilla, oak a bit showy, exotic behind. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and lively palate, rich, intense and nuanced, layered and very complex, very long. 97

2008 Château Cheval Blanc

APR 17 Ruby. Dark fruits, floral, scented, blackberries, spices, exotic, very open and charming even now. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, detailed, elegant, playful, long and detailed. Bit of sweetness to it. 94

2008 Château Cheval Blanc

FEB 13 Deep ruby. Exotic, plums, blueberries, vanilla, lilies, blackberries, very layered and complex nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering, elegant if a bit rich palate, smooth even if structured, very long. 95

2008 Château Cheval Blanc

NOV 12 Ruby. Scented, exotic, blueberries, rich, complex and tight now. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, sweet and rich, layered but needs time to show. Long. 94

2006 Château Cheval Blanc

SEP 17 Ruby. Scented, dark berries, some anise, floral, scented, detailed, lovely, nuanced, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, spices, blackberries, detailed, intense, structured, firm, long. 95

2006 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 15 Ruby. Ripe fruits, rich, intense, leather, nuanced, dark berries, refined and detailed, just starting to open more evolved aromas. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, ripe, detailed and nuanced, layered, lots of red berries, structured and needs years to polish, very long. 2025-2055 96

2006 Château Cheval Blanc

MAR 14 Deep ruby. Cassis, scented, fruity, fairly intense nose, still a bit tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, shut on the palate as well, tight, not quite willing to open. Just like last bottle. Give it ten years. 94

2006 Château Cheval Blanc
NOV 13 Ruby. Rich, fruity, cassis and blueberries, somewhat exotic nose even if a bit tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity even if leaner than expected from the nose, refreshing palate, bit firm, typical of the vintage, lovely balance. Wait ten years. 94

2006 Le Petit Cheval
DEC 10 Deep ruby, coffee, vanilla, plums, cherries with lots of blue- and blackberries. Very elegant and balanced, fresh acidity, elegant tannins, structure is elegant, very long length. Flirting allready, but I would wait..... 89

2005 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 17 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, ripe, rich, exotic, floral high notes, violets, stunning nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise, some spices, layered and deep, playful yet fruity, long. 97

2005 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 15 Ruby. Intense nose, blackberries, spices, ripe and rich, fruity, some tobacco, violets, Christmas spices, almost a mineral note beneath. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, ripe and rich, intense, layered and deep, long. 97

2005 Château Cheval Blanc
NOV 11 Ruby, bell peppers, blackberries, touch of coffee, dark and ripe feel to it. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balanced, intense, complex, very long indeed, needs a lot of time, but you do not have to. 95

2004 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 15 Ruby. Scented, red berries, floral, exotic, spices, minerals, detailed and nuanced, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, intense, nuanced and playful, detailed, elegant and fairly precise, long. 2020-2045 95

2004 Château Cheval Blanc
NOV 10 Ruby, coffee, anise, seductive like few, sweet, almost port like (hmmm 47?) but more refined (not to offend any in Douro), even minerals. Fantastic texture, fresh acidity, tannins grips and still velvety, sweet cherries, chocolate and very ripe plums. Even so, very fresh and lively, and gorgous long finish. 95

2003 Chateau Cheval-Blanc
JAN 10 Ruby, thin pink rim. Chocolate, blackberries, blueberries, green paprika, leather, mint, more complex, richer texture, still very elegant, fresh acidity, very ripe tannins, and lots of them, great balance, very long finish. 94

2003 Le Petit Cheval
JAN 10 Ruby with thin pink rim. Some leather, liquorice, chocolate, mint, blackberries, blueberries and paprika. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite light body, more intensity, some spices and fruit stones. Very long finish. 90

2002 Château Cheval Blanc

JUL 16 Ruby. Scented, red berries, cherries, some spices, delicate and detailed, scented, some figs and prunes, layered, anise, some exotic notes showing up. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, structured, elegant, lively, detailed, some liquorice and still spices in the finish. 94

2001 Château Cheval Blanc

FEB 14 Ruby. Blueberries, cassis, intense, floral, scented, needs air to open, layered, seductive and deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, intense, layered, elegant and nuanced, playful and refined, one lovely wine! Long finish. 96

2001 Chateau Cheval Blanc
NOV 09 Ruby with some sediments. Very closed, blackcurrants and bell peppers. After more air, a truly elegant and complex nose, expensive leather, cigars, tobacco, red fruits. Great acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and elegant and the acidity really refresh and cleans the palate. Exceptional balance, and mouthfeel. A truly great wine. Cellar it long if you're lucky enough! 95

1999 Le Petit Cheval
DEC 09 Deep ruby, dark fruit, chocolate and some coffee, very Bordeaux, bell peppers, soft as velvet, very balanced and integrated acidity with soft and rounded, ripe tannins, some hay, mushrooms, fennel, camphor, lovely complexity, and subtle, well balanced and long. A beauty. 88

1998 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 15 Ruby. Scented, elegant, detailed, exotic, leather and dark berries nose, refined. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, detailed and layered, figs, nuanced, refined, maturing beautifully, leather, very long indeed. Now-2045 96

1998 Château Cheval Blanc
NOV 11 Ruby, pink rim, floral, violets, mint, layered, again impossible to describe fully. Close to perfect balance, playful and still relaxed acidity. tannins soft, stunning texture, mouthwatering, just ads and ads with air, incredible length, never ending, I keep raising the score on this as it keeps unlocking more and more secrets. I wish I had cases of this one. 98

1996 Château Cheval Blanc

MAY 17 Ruby. Starting out somewhat awkward and herbal, but after two hours in decanter, the tannins softened, dark fruits appeared all over the place. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, spices, dark fruits, raspberries, still somewhat edgy tannins, needs serious decanting, long. 94

1996 Château Cheval Blanc

SEP 10 Ruby. Dark fruits, ripe, intense, tight at this stage, scented, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, tight, somewhat tannic structure, long. 94

1995 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 15 Ruby. Red fruits, blueberries, scented, floral, intense and detailed, light tobacco note, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, spices, detailed, juicy but not jammy, long. 95

1995 Château Cheval-Blanc
DEC 11 Ruby, brick rim. Intense nose, coffee, cigars, touch bell peppers, more intense than I remember a bottle from September. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruit driven, exotic, very long finish, needed air to open. 95

1995 Château Cheval Blanc
NOV 11 Ruby, brick rim, served blind. At the Vika Monopoly they had told the owner of the bottle that no one would guess this one blind, well I did. Coffee, intense, blueberries, rich, if not rich for Cheval, cigars, just a tiny touch of VA. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, closed, never fully opened, but also a more withdrawn style of Cheval, together with 96. Long finish. 95

1995 Château Cheval Blanc

APR 08 Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, exotic, floral, lilies, blackberries, blueberries, violets, layered and deep nose, seductive. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, layered, intense and long. Beautiful. 95

1990 Château Cheval Blanc

JUN 17 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Anise, spices, blackberries, figs, leather, scented, liquorice, lilies nose, exotic spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, anise and spices, some floral notes, layered, complex and deep, superb, long finish. 98

1990 Château Cheval Blanc

NOV 15 Ruby, garnet rim. Intense, exotic, dark fruits, figs, scented, layered, rich and deep nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, layered, complex, seductive, long, stunning. 98

1990 Château Cheval Blanc
SEP 12 Bright ruby, garnet rim. Nose has everything one want's from Cheval, rich, exotic, spicy, scented and even some floral high-notes. Perfect body, fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Superb balance, complex and long. 98

1989 Chateau Cheval-Blanc
DEC 09 Deep ruby, garnet rim, paprika, blackcurrants and blackcurrant leaves, some herbal notes, cigars, leather, plums and blueberries. Absolutely fantastic complexity, great acidity, ripe tannins, very balanced, powerful, yet elegant, fantastic finish, great length. Future legend? Still youthful. Keep. 97

1989 Château Cheval Blanc

NOV 07 Ruby. Cassis, exotic spices, starting figs, scented, floral, nuanced, layered, detailed, needed four hours in decanter to really shine. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, layered, detailed, nuanced, blackberries, figs and dates, exquisite. Very long aftertaste. 97

1989 Le Petit Cheval
MAY 15 Served blind. Bright ruby, thin brick rim. Some cassis, figs, blueberries, tobacco, cedar, violets, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively, red and darker berries, bit lean and somewhat firm, could have more fruit, slightly hollow finish. Has its charm. Quite long. 91

1988 Le Petit Cheval

Ruby, garnet rim. Blackberries, some cassis, anise, bit earthy, light herbal touch and some leather notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, leaner, some herbs again, anise, some wood polish, almost cherry notes finish. Long if leaner. 90

1986 Chateau Cheval Blanc

JAN 19 Ruby, garnet rim. Figs, dates, exotic, nuanced, layered, some spices, lovely nose, tobacco, intense, minerals, mint, stunning nose, extreme even. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, juicy, detailed, layered, superb balance, intense, incredible balance, absolutely magic. 98

1986 Château Cheval Blanc
JAN 14 Served blind. Ruby, very thin brick rim. Dark berries, detailed, exotic, floral, nuanced, refined, blueberries, plums, vanilla and mint touch, touch of bell peppers. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lovely balance, refreshing, lively and fruity, again detailed, very long. I guessed 95 Cheval Blanc. 96

1986 Château Cheval Blanc

MAR 13 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Exotic, some prunes and floral, lovely nose if not that intense. Cassis and plums, leather, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fairly focused but also a bit lean for Cheval, refreshing, elegant but lacks a bit body, especially for CB. Somewhat leaner than last bottle. 93

1985 Château Cheval Blanc

AUG 18 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, some figs, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, fruity, elegant and nuanced, detailed, some spices, lovely balance, long. 94

1985 Château Cheval Blanc

DEC 12 Ruby. Dark fruits, figs, minerals, blackberries, dates, floral, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, dates, figs, some spices, liquorice, smooth, bit lean and doesn’t really shine as much as some this vintage, long finish. 93

1982 Château Cheval Blanc

AUG 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, some spices, dark berries, detailed and nuanced, some cedar notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, some spices, nuanced, detailed, some spices, liquorice touch, cedar, long. 96

1982 Château Cheval Blanc

NOV 17 Ruby, brick rim. Figs, blueberries, anise, some floral notes, minerals, liquorice, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, blueberries, smooth texture, elegant, lots of tobacco, some chocolate, touch of mint as well, long. 95

1982 Château Cheval Blanc

NOV 17 Ruby, brick rim. Anise, cherries, figs, fruity, tighter nose, liquorice and prunes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, smooth texture, rounded and elegant, figs, younger expression than the nose, smooth and long. 94

1981 Château Cheval Blanc

AUG 18 Ruby, garnet rim. Leather, some mint, scented, lighter nose, tobacco, very mature nose, elegant. Some bell peppers. Fresh acidity, some tannins, lean palate, light body, bit short. 86

1981 Château Cheval Blanc

OCT 12 Deep ruby, garnet rim. Prunes, minerals, some coffee and slightly dusty nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite rounded body but drying finish. 90

1978 Château Cheval Blanc
SEP 12 Bottom neck fill. Ruby, orange rim. Perfumed, floral, touch of bell peppers that will probably scare off a few fans, anise and fine leather. Slightly exotic, spiced figs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering, elegant and fruit driven. Long. 94

1975 Château Cheval Blanc
SEP 12 Bottom neck fill. Ruby, garnet rim. Pure blueberries, cassis, leather end exotic spices and flowers. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, nice body and balance, but lacks a bit of its regular excitement. Long, and maybe I'm hard on it. 92

1971 Château Cheval Blanc
SEP 12 Bottom neck fill. Pale ruby, brick rim. Tobacco, exotic, floral and perfumed. Nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant if lean body, nose gives more than palate, good length. 91

1969 Chateau Cheval Blanc

AUG 15 Dead.

1968 Château Cheval Blanc
FEB 12 (demi) I bought this at L’Intendant in 2007 and was told it came directly from Cheval Blanc’s cellars. I bought two of these demi’s, and this one was magical. Ruby with brick rim. Cork mostly dry, A level fill, half centimeter bellow cork. Developing, roses, floral, perfume, figs, prunes, but it manages to feel so young, even with the developed aromas, and this one is even more youthful in its style than the other bottle. Lowish acidity, but fresh, seductively soft tannins, extremely well balanced, silky texture gone over to another dimension, incredibly long length, minerals, dried apricots, actually giving of aromas reminding me of a fantastic old sauternes, together with the dry notes of cigars and leather, graceful, youthful, lively and vibrant, absolutely astonishing, even the 95 Haut-Brion I have next to this bottle doesn't stand a chance. You will all think I'm crazy. Tears of an angel? 100

1968 Chateau Cheval-Blanc

DEC 11 (demi) Bright ruby with orange rim, A level fill, soaked cork. Prunes, figs, dried fruits, leather, leaves, forest floor, earth, roses, cigars and coffee. Very nice and complex nose, some tannins still, fresh acidity, good balance and very elegant, if a bit lean, nice texture. Surprisingly good for the vintage, and in half bottle. 92

1966 Château Cheval Blanc
SEP 12 Bottom neck fill. Pale ruby, orange rim. Perfumed, floral and figs. Lacks that overwhelming nose and seductiveness of my last bottle. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant, mouthwatering even so, fruit-driven and exotic finish. Broadbent: 'I have always preferred the 66 to the great 47 for though the latter is hugely impressive the 66 is the epitome of elegance. Apart from a cask sample in 67, with an understandable touch of greenness an tannins, evolving splendidly through the 80's, 5 star appearing several times......... This is what claret is all about. ***** '94

1966 Château Cheval Blanc

MAR 11 Mid shoulder fill, ruby with brick rim. Coffee, plums, darker berries, figs, floral and violets, very complex, difficult to describe, ripe and pure, tea and hint of herbs. Perfect texture and balance, fresh acidity and ripe tannins, superb floral notes, but not the elegance of those in Ch. Margaux, more exotic, sweeter type, passion fruit, extremely long finish. Enormously easy to enjoy. 97

1964 Château Cheval Blanc

MAY 11 Fill just below neck, deep ruby, thin orange rim. Deep fruit, marzipan, fruity, tropical flowers, opulent and intense. Superb texture, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lots of structure and fruit, some alcohol notes brings it down a bit, very long and fruity finish. 94

1962 Château Cheval Blanc

MAR 13 Danish bottling. Corked.

1961 Château Cheval Blanc

AUG 14 Ruby, brick rim. Dark fruits, plums, figs, raisins, a few blackberries left, leather, tobacco, exotic spices, floral, roses and violets. Gorgeous nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, intense palate, fruity, rounded, layered, detailed, superb balance, very long indeed. 97

1961 Château Cheval Blanc
SEP 12 Top shoulder fill. Ruby, orange rim. Plums, warm fruit and exotic feel, some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, not as rich, opulent, complex, actually miles from my last bottle. Even so. 92

1961 Château Cheval Blanc

MAR 10 Top shoulder fill. Dar ruby, brick rim. Dark fruits, figs, leather, spices, exotic, almost lilies floral note, plums, leather, polished wood, intense and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins polishing off, smooth and elegant texture, rounded, caressing, red fruit freshness towards finish, superb balance and length. 97

1961 Chateau Cheval Blanc
OCT 09 Bottled by Kjær & Sommerfeldt, Copenhagen. Opaque, brick rim. Intense nose of mocha, chocolate, red plums, dried fruits, almost like mature Colheita Port, some dust and forest floor, fantastic intensity and complexity. Intense mouthfeel, fantastic acidity which is almost packed into the fruit, fantastic long finish, cocktail berries and dark chocolate, lasts for minutes. Really powerful wine. 98

1959 Château Cheval Blanc
SEP 12 Mid shoulder fill. Deep ruby, orange rim. Nose feels unfocused, lacks a lot, feels tired and almost dry. On the other hand, the very last sip I had, seemed to have gained some fruit and had acquired some length. Either it was just my hope, or it would have needed a few hours of decanting. According to Broadbent '...deliciously lively...rich, glorious with perfect tannin and acidity.' , this one was never even close to that. Tired bottle.

1955 Château Cheval Blanc
SEP 12 Not much left of the label, but Berry Bros bottling seems to be confirmed by the cork and capsule. Top shoulder fill, bright ruby, brick rim. Exotic and floral notes over pure blueberries and figs. Fresh acidity, coffee and fuller palate, ripe tannins, elegant, long and cassis hint. Broadbent: 'Still being shipped in hogsheads to English wine merchants, some excellent Berry Bros' bottlings drinking beautifully at 30 years of age: rich, soft, earthy, completely rounded.' It continues to deliver at nearly 60. 94

1953 Château Cheval Blanc
JAN 14 In neck fill. Earthy, anise, touch of floral notes comes and goes, lots of tobacco and coffee. Fresh acidity, drying tannins, leaner palate, minerals and tobacco finish, long if drying. 83

1950 Château Cheval Blanc

OCT 12 Deep ruby, thin brown rim, lots of sediments. Some floral notes, coffee, leather and figs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, plums and figs, drying. On the verge. Interesting rather than great. 85

1949 Château Cheval Blanc
SEP 12 Vandermeulen bottle, half rotten, old cork stating Vandermeulen Ostende. Deep ruby, orange rim. Dusty nose first, quickly blowing over to plums, figs, slightly of VA, cassis and perfumed. Fresh acidity, high even, mouthwatering, full bodied. Ripe tannins, intense, fragrant and lifted, savory, very long. Broadbent: 'Another wonderful wine which along with the Ch Mouton Rothschild and Ch Margaux, having the most perfect expression of the vintage'. 98

1947 Château Cheval Blanc FAKE BOTTLE

Normally one wouldn’t put a fake bottle among the tasting notes, but this is here as this is one of the most faked wines out there. This was a “Vandermeulen” bottling. Very top shoulder, deep ruby with brick rim. Ripe fruit, slightly volatile, roses, black- and blueberries, fresh acidity and ripe but gripping tannins. Chocolate, minerals and a touch of green peppers, later on violets, OK length. I would guess this was a Bordeaux wine, could be something like a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru with some age, it was very much drinkable, I gave it 85. This does not sound anything like the wine's normal description of full throttle Port like intensity. Cork was way too young, nothing printed on it, and was not possible to get back in the bottle, it expanded and became large as a new Champagne cork within a few minutes of pulling it. It looked like it had been soaked in wine for a few days (it was pale pink) and put in with simple old cork machine. It had a square mark on the top while in the bottle. I do not know if the label would be correct for Vandermeulen, foil colour was not.

1945 Château Cheval Blanc
SEP 12 Echenauer bottling. Top shoulder fill. Bright garnet with orange rim. Rich nose, sweet lilies, exotic, spices, layers upon layers and very complex. Fresh acidity, tannins polished and more or less gone, or at least extremely integrated into the texture. Lively, balanced, fresh and long. Broadbent: ' A total contrast to the uniquely mammoth '47. A more typical Cheval Blanc in its fragrance, deft touch and elegance'. 95

1934 Château Cheval Blanc

MAR 11 Chr. Stausholm bottling (Denmark) and cork stated Stausholm as well. Top shoulder fill. Garnet with brick/ orange rim. Coffee, anise, leather, redcurrant's, cigars, cassis, hint of herbs, sweet tones and ripe notes. Fresh acidity, tannins nearly gone, rich texture, elegant even so, very mature, long length. 94