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My Rating (circle) :
Date Printed: 11/20/2008
(search item no. 88904)
collectible wine
Wine Spectator rating: 96 points
PRICE ON 11/20/2008: $639.00

ratings pedigree (past vintages):
2005 Wine Spectator rating: 97 points
2005 The Wine Advocate rating: 96 points
2005 International Wine Cellar rating: 96 points
2004 Wine Spectator rating: 94 points
2004 The Wine Advocate rating: 90 points
2002 Wine Spectator rating: 92 points
2002 The Wine Advocate rating: 90 points
2001 The Wine Advocate rating: 93 points
2001 Wine Spectator rating: 92 points
2000 The Wine Advocate rating: 100 points
1999 The Wine Advocate rating: 93 points
1999 International Wine Cellar rating: 92 points
1998 Wine Spectator rating: 98 points
1998 International Wine Cellar rating: 95 points
1996 Wine Spectator rating: 90 points
1996 The Wine Advocate rating: 90 points
1995 Wine Spectator rating: 94 points
1990 The Wine Advocate rating: 98 points
1983 Wine Spectator rating: 97 points
1982 Wine Spectator rating: 96 points
1979 Wine Spectator rating: 88 points
1953 Wine Spectator rating: 92 points

Winemaker's Notes:

"Good full, deep red. Sexy aromas of mocha, tobacco and milk chocolate, with a suggestion of roasted nuts. Suave, fine-grained and sappy, with lovely vinosity in the context of this heatwave vintage..."
-International Wine Cellar

"Blackberry, mineral and lightly toasted oak. Subtle and complex. Full-bodied, with wonderfully sweet fruit character and ultrarefined tannins. Goes on and on. Gorgeous and seductive. Best after 2009."
-Wine Spectator

My Notes:

About Château Cheval Blanc:

The present-day Cheval Blanc vineyards had vines at least as far back as the 18th century, as shown by Belleyme's map of the region dated 1764. Nearly a century later, the estate was acquired by the Fourcaud-Laussac family who owned it until 1998, when it was sold to Mr Bernard Arnault and Baron Albert Frère.

The vineyard is in a single block, and borders on the Pomerol appellation. An outstanding terror and unusual proportions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot give this great wine an absolutely unique flavor. Château Cheval Blanc has had a greater number of outstanding vintages than any other classified great growth over the past century.

Another unusual characteristic of Cheval Blanc is that once it reaches its peak, it maintains it for a very long time. This admirable wine is powerful, soft, rich, round and silky. It has tremendous fruit and elegance as well as exceptional quality from year to year.