Château Cheval Blanc
St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
I never would have anticipated drinking my birth year of Cheval Blanc out of a Solo cup yet, here we are. The ‘81 is ruddy still; deep garnet color with some browning towards the rim and loads of sediment. The nose shows some of the telltale green-ness of vintage but everything has found harmony: the fruit has blossomed and structure has integrated. Dark fruited with tobacco, dried purple flowers, mushrooms, herbs and soft eastern spices. Charming! No particular rush to drink these but lovely now.
I never would have anticipated drinking my birth year of Cheval Blanc out of a Solo cup yet, here we are. The ‘81 is ruddy still; deep garnet color with some browning towards the rim and loads of sediment. The nose shows some of the telltale green-ness of vintage but everything has found harmony: the fruit has blossomed and structure has integrated. Dark fruited with tobacco, dried purple flowers, mushrooms, herbs and soft eastern spices. Charming! No particular rush to drink these but lovely now.
Sep 28th, 2024
Great showing from an undervalued year. Red fruit tobacco cedar iron blood savory spice in a great drinking window.
Great showing from an undervalued year. Red fruit tobacco cedar iron blood savory spice in a great drinking window.
Dec 23rd, 2021
Excellent wine and drinking very well today. It's definitely peaked but still fresh
Excellent wine and drinking very well today. It's definitely peaked but still fresh
Dec 17th, 20151981 Cheval Blanc in a 375ml. Cork was intact. Opening up slowly...to aroma of wintergreen and licorice along with subtle barnyard and Brett. Licorice coming through again. It still has grippy tannins and spicy earth notes with slight dark fruit.
1981 Cheval Blanc in a 375ml. Cork was intact. Opening up slowly...to aroma of wintergreen and licorice along with subtle barnyard and Brett. Licorice coming through again. It still has grippy tannins and spicy earth notes with slight dark fruit.
Feb 18th, 2015
Wonderful wild berry fruit, autumn leafs, deep and mysterious, espresso coffee, bitter cherry, wet tabaco leaf, a salty kale note, very attractive. In the mouth this is full, almost sweet but slightly dries tabacco and cherry fruit, soft, dainty, very attractive, lithe and alive. A great wine!
Wonderful wild berry fruit, autumn leafs, deep and mysterious, espresso coffee, bitter cherry, wet tabaco leaf, a salty kale note, very attractive. In the mouth this is full, almost sweet but slightly dries tabacco and cherry fruit, soft, dainty, very attractive, lithe and alive. A great wine!
Dec 2nd, 2014
Peaking now - delicate cedar cigar box and white pepper - some cranberry in there
Peaking now - delicate cedar cigar box and white pepper - some cranberry in there
Sep 20th, 2013
The winner in my book of a friendly CB tasting last night. The 81 has beautiful balance, layers of complexity, excellent mouth feel. Took several hours to open and started with a sulfur nose which once gone left a very nice CB.
The winner in my book of a friendly CB tasting last night. The 81 has beautiful balance, layers of complexity, excellent mouth feel. Took several hours to open and started with a sulfur nose which once gone left a very nice CB.
Feb 20th, 2016