Cheval Blanc Vertical Tasting back to 1949

Maya (advising Miles against being overly fussy about when he will drink a vintage Bordeaux wine he owns): "You know, the day you open a '61 Cheval Blanc … that's the special occasion."

Whenever I get a legendary wine like the 1949 Cheval Blanc I am more interested in drinking the wine than selling it, so I immediately put a tasting on the calendar for this occasion. Cheval Blanc is one of the most unique wines in all of Bordeaux, not only because of its blend which is very high in Cabernet Franc but also because of its location, which is technically Pomerol according to its western border. We will be experiencing eight vintages of this top growth of Saint Emilion along with a special tasting menu prepared by Wine Watch Catering’s Toni Lampasone. The fee for this tasting is $495 per person + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463. And don’t forget to make it to the bottom of the email past the older vintages of Cheval Blanc, for an incredible offer of vintage Bordeaux arriving from the cellars of France.

Cheval Blanc Vertical Tasting back to 1949

Friday, October 11, 2013

7:00 PM

Reception:

1998 Le Petit Cheval St. Emilion

Price: $270.00    Your Price: $229.50 Quantity in Stock: 4

This is the second wine of This famous property and in vintage like 1998 the second wines of great properties like Cheval Blanc can be some of the best values in Burgundy.

Tasting Line-up:

1949 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion

(100 Points)  Although the extraordinary 1949 does not have the port-like unctuosity and heaviness of the 1947, it is an enormously rich, concentrated wine. It is better-balanced than the heavyweight 1947, yet as complex and extraordinary, both from an aromatic and flavor perspective. The wine exhibits a phenomenally fragrant bouquet of overripe red and black fruits, cedar, Asian spices, and minerals. Decadently rich and jammy, it has an amazing plum/garnet color with very little amber or rust at the edge. It may out-live the heavier, thicker, more exotic 1947.  Wine Advocate #95, Oct 1994

1953 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion

(95 Points)  In the fifties, the greatest vintage is the 1953. I am sure this wine has been fully mature for at least 15-20 years. Nevertheless, it has held its magic for that considerable period, and is still the most fragrant, and from an aromatic perspective, the most compelling Cheval Blanc I have ever tasted. Perhaps the 1982 will turn out to be this profoundly perfumed. It is not a blockbuster, but is incredibly seductive, and so soft and silky. Last tasted 3/96  Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition, Jan 1998

1970 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion

(91 Points)  This vintage shows notable bottle variation at Cheval; we had a good one, fragrant with plum, floral and spice aromas, round and velvety on the palate, balanced and long. Drink now through 2006.--Cheval-Blanc vertical. –TM  Wine Spectator Issue: Mar 31, 1999

1982 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion

(96 Points) All in harmony. Deserves its reputation. Dark ruby. Smoke, black truffle, berry and cherry. Full-bodied, velvety and fine.--Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2005. –JS Wine Spectator Issue: Jun 30, 2001

1985 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion

(92 Points)  Beginning to show maturity. Spice and cedar aromas give way to a silky texture and flavors of tobacco and roasted fruits. Drink or hold.--Cheval-Blanc vertical. –TM  Wine Spectator Issue: Mar 31, 1999

1990 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion   (98+ Points) One of my favorite Cheval Blancs, it remains to be seen if the 1998, 2000, and 2008 will live up to this offering. It is the ripest wine of the aforementioned vintages, with a complex bouquet of tobacco leaf, Christmas fruitcake, sweet black fruits, bordering on fig and plum, but no hint of over ripeness, and notions of new saddle leather, mint, and incense. The gorgeously expressive aromatics are followed by a full-bodied wine revealing abundant glycerin as well as elevated alcohol, but it is not hot, and nothing is out of place. Expansive, rich, and revealing the nuances and complexity that come from bottle age, it is at its peak of maturity where it should remain for another 10-15 years. Release price: ($3000.00/case) Wine Advocate #183, Jun 2009

1996 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion

 (91 Points) Medium ruby, with a garnet edge. Aromas of plum and fresh herbs, such as basil, that turn to cedar and cigar box. Full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins. Long and flavorful, with subtle chocolate, berry and light coffee aftertaste. Gorgeous.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2007. –JS Wine Spectator Issue: Web Only - 2007

1999 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion

(93 Points)  The complex, explosively fragrant 1999 Cheval Blanc is a blend of 59% Merlot and 41% Cabernet Franc. It is already showing well, which is a good sign for a wine that traditionally is reserved early in life, but puts on weight and richness in the bottle. Stylistically, this wine is probably cut from the same mold as vintages such as 1985, 1966, and 1962. The color is a dense ruby with purple nuances. Once past the blockbuster bouquet of menthol, leather, black fruits, licorice, and mocha, the wine reveals medium body, extraordinary elegance, purity, and sweet, harmonious flavors with no hard edges. This is a seamless beauty of finesse, charm, and concentration. The 1999 is an exciting Cheval Blanc to drink relatively young. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2022.  Wine Advocate #140, Apr 2002

Menu

Crispy Duck Confit with mole sauce and English pea succotash

Sliced NY Sirloin with double stuffed bacon cheddar potatoes

Bacon covered in Chocolate served with a selection of cheese

Older Vintage Cheval Blanc available:

1975 Chateau Cheval Blanc St Emilion

List Price: $458.00             Your Price: $389.30

Quantity in Stock: 1

(90 points) Cheval Blanc was one of the more forward and fun to drink 1975s fifteen years ago, but its evolution has slowed considerably. It reveals some of the kinky, exotic Cheval Blanc complexity, with chocolate, mint, cedar, and sweet fruit filling the moderately intense bouquet. Although the color displays considerable amber at the edge, it has a deep ruby/garnet center, as well as plenty of sweet, ripe fruit with noticeable glycerin and extract. It is a rich, firmly-styled Cheval Blanc that juxtaposes power and tough tannin with plenty of sweet jammy fruit. I admire and enjoy this fully mature wine, which is capable of lasting for 15 more years. Wine Advocate #103 Feb 1996

1990 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion

Price: $1175.00  Your Price: $998.75

Quantity in Stock: 1

(98 Points) One of my favorite Cheval Blancs, it remains to be seen if the 1998, 2000, and 2008 will live up to this offering. It is the ripest wine of the aforementioned vintages, with a complex bouquet of tobacco leaf, Christmas fruitcake, sweet black fruits, bordering on fig and plum, but no hint of over ripeness, and notions of new saddle leather, mint, and incense. The gorgeously expressive aromatics are followed by a full-bodied wine revealing abundant glycerin as well as elevated alcohol, but it is not hot, and nothing is out of place. Expansive, rich, and revealing the nuances and complexity that come from bottle age, it is at its peak of maturity where it should remain for another 10-15 years. Release price: ($3000.00/case) Wine Advocate #183, Jun 2009

1999 Le Petit Cheval St Emilion

Price: $270.00    Your Price: $229.50

Quantity in Stock: 1

2005 Chateau Cheval Blanc St Emilion

Price: $906.25    Your Price: $770.31

Quantity in Stock: 12

(96 points) The dense ruby/purple-hued 2005 Cheval Blanc’s ethereal bouquet of menthol, coffee, wet stones, black cherries, blackberries, and hints of graphite and spice soars from the glass. An equal part blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, it is medium to full-bodied with a gorgeous texture in addition to high tannins that glide over the palate with no angularity or astringency. While it does not quite reach the perfection of the 2000, it should rival the profound 1998 and 1990. This is not a Cheval Blanc for near-term drinking as it demands at least a decade’s worth of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2035. Wine Advocate #176 Apr 2008

Vintage Bordeaux available: These are bottles of vintage Bordeaux arriving from Bordeaux. Our good friends from Mähler-Bess where in the store, the owners of Chateau Palmer, with this great list of older vintage Bordeaux’s arriving from France

1928 Chateau Beychevelle St Julien

List $2,783.82  Sale $2,366.25

1959 Chateau Beychevelle St Julien

List $728.82  Sale $619.50

1961 Chateau Beychevelle St Julien

List $922.24 Sale $783.90

1966 Chateau Beychevelle St Julien

List $438.71  Sale $372.90

1970 Chateau Beychevelle St Julien

List $269.47 Sale $229.05

1928 Chateau Branaire Ducru Saint Julien 

     List $1,695.88 Sale $1,441.50

1943 Chateau Calon Segur St Estephe

List $849.71  Sale $722.25

1949 Chteau Cantemerle haut Medoc

List $1,091.47  Sale $927.75

1962 Chateau Cos D'estournel St. Estephe

List $728.82  Sale $619.50

1970 Chteau Gazin Pomerol       

List $245.29 Sale $208.50

1953 Chateau Haut Batailley Pauillac

List $849.71 Sale $722.25

1949 Chateau Haut Brion Pauillac

List $4,355.29   Sale $3,702.00

1958 Chateay Haut Brion Pauillac

List $1,635.44 Sale $1,390.13

1966 Chateay Haut Brion Pauillac

List $1,212.35   Sale $1,030.50

1970 Chateay Haut Brion Pauillac

List $607.94 Sale $516.75

1940 Chateau La Lagune Haut Medoc

List $728.82   Sale $619.50

1928 Chateau Lagrange Saint Julien

List $910.15   Sale $773.63

1952 Chateau Latour Pauillac

List $1,454.12 Sale $1,236.00

1962 Chateau Leoville Las Cases Saint Julien

List $656.29 Sale $557.85

1940 Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint Julien

List $970.59 Sale $825.00

1962 Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint Julien

List $462.88 Sale $393.45

1952 Chateau Margaux Margaux

List $1,575.00 Sale $1,338.75

1958 Chateau Margaux Margaux              

List $2,421.18 Sale $2,058.00

1962 Chateau Margaux Margaux              

List $970.59 Sale $825.00

1962 Chateau Montrose St. Estephe

List $535.41 Sale $455.10

1945 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac          

List $36,268.24 Sale $30,828.00

1970 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac

List $910.15 Sale $773.63

1975 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac

List $849.71 Sale $722.25

1959 Chateau Rauzan Gassies Margaux

List $281.56 Sale $239.33

1970 Chateau Rauzan Gassies Margaux

List $245.29 Sale $208.50

1940 Chateau Rieussec Sauternes

List $487.06 Sale $414.00

1937 Chateau TalbotSt Julien    

List $1,695.88 Sale $1,441.50

1942 Chateau Palmer Margaux

List $970.59 Sale $825.00

1955 Chateau Palmer Margaux 

List $3,871.76 Sale $3,291.00

1959 Chateau Palmer Margaux 

List $5,080.59 Sale $4,318.50

1972 Chateau Palmer Margaux 

List $366.18 Sale $311.25

1974 Chateau Palmer Margaux

List $366.18   Sale $311.25

1975 Chateau Palmer Margaux

List $414.53 Sale $352.35

1976 Chateau Palmer Margaux 

List $535.41 Sale $455.10

1978 Chateau Palmer Margaux

List $535.41 Sale $455.10

1980 Chateau Palmer Margaux 

List $426.62 Sale $362.63

1981 Chateau Palmer Margaux 

List $970.59 Sale $825.00

1982 Chateau Palmer Margaux

List $535.41 Sale $455.10

1985 Chateau Palmer Margaux

List $426.62 Sale $362.63

1988 Chateau Palmer Margaux (375ml)

List $342.00   Sale $290.70

1988Chateau Palmer Margaux  

List $680.47 Sale $578.40

1990 Chateau Palmer Margaux

List $547.50 Sale $465.38