Cheval Blanc

Tasting Notes:
Since its bottling, the 1989 has frequently been disappointing. In this tasting, it showed better than it has over the last several years. The 1989 is not a great effort for this chateau. The color is already revealing an amber edge, and the lead pencil, cedar, spicy, black fruit, and vanillin-scented nose is more reminiscent of a young Lafite, than the exotic style associated with Cheval Blanc in a hot, dry, ripe year. This medium weight, lightly tannic wine is very approachable. I have rated the 1989 Cheval Blanc consistently between 87 and 89, which is indicative of an excellent wine, but given the vintage terroir, this is not one of the star's of the 1989 vintage. It should continue to drink well for 10-15+ years, as there is moderate tannin in the wine's elegant framework, but readers should not expect any miracles. Robert Parker- Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 89
Drinking Period: 1997-2012

Tasting Notes:
Fully mature, but capable of lasting another 10-15 years, this flamboyantly scented wine (jammy black fruits, licorice, Asian spices, herbs, grilled meats) is a lusciously rich, opulent, medium to full-bodied, fat and juicy style of Cheval Blanc that seems to get better and better every time I taste it. Like so many Cheval Blancs, it has the uncanny ability to put on weight in the bottle. Last tasted 1/98 Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition # B1 Jan 1998
Parker Points: 93
Drinking Period: 1998-2005

Tasting Notes:
Revealing considerable amber in its dark plum/garnet color, this intensely fragrant 1982 is somewhat of a paradox in that the front end suggests full maturity, but the mid-palate, finish, and overall texture denote a closed wine. A gorgeously sweet entry displays flavors of caramel, roasted coffee, jammy red and black fruits, coconut, and smoke. It is fat and full-bodied, with considerable tannin, structure, and muscle in the finish. Flamboyantly rich and precocious early in life, it is going through an awkward stage where the tannin is present, but it is also sexy, juicy, and formidably-structured. When the 1982 Cheval Blanc's component parts become totally in sync, it will be capable of meriting a three-digit rating. Wine Advocate # 129 Jun 2000
Parker Points: 99
Drinking Period: 2000-2015

Tasting Notes:
A good rather than great effort from Cheval Blanc, the 1966 is now fully mature. Medium ruby with an amber edge, this is a restrained version of Cheval Blanc, with a stylish, reserved bouquet of mineral scents, black currants, and spicy oak. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, moderately fleshy, but not so voluptuous or as concentrated as one expects Cheval Blanc to be in this highly regarded vintage. Robert Parker- Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 85
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes:
A good rather than great effort from Cheval Blanc, the 1966 is now fully mature. Medium ruby with an amber edge, this is a restrained version of Cheval Blanc, with a stylish, reserved bouquet of mineral scents, black currants, and spicy oak. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, moderately fleshy, but not so voluptuous or as concentrated as one expects Cheval Blanc to be in this highly regarded vintage. Robert Parker- Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 85
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes:
I have rated the 1949 Cheval Blanc as high as 100, but more consistently in the mid to upper 90s. It is one of the great Cheval Blancs - not as port-like and syrupy as the 1947, but more classically rendered. But do not take that to mean this is a wimpish wine. It is an unbelievably rich, sweet, expansive, full-bodied style of Cheval Blanc with enormous quantities of glycerin, fruit, alcohol, and extract. Although it has been drinkable for decades, it continues to offer that exotic, Asian spice, cedar, and huge, sweet fruit-scented nose. Unctuously-textured, thick, rich, vibrant, pure, and compelling, it should drink well for another 10-20 years. Robert Parker- Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 96
Drinking Period: 1996-2016