1998 Cheval Blanc
|
Description
Cheval Blanc-1998-750ml-PCCPNY-Red-Bordeaux-France
Cheval Blanc-1998-750ml-PCCPNY-Red-Bordeaux-France
Tasting Notes
| Wine Spectator 98 | |
| "Subtle, complex and refined, with aromas of cherry, licorice, mineral, berry and other sweet, ripe fruit. Full-bodied, compacted, with fine, silky tannins. Long finish." | |
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 95 | |
| "Full, bright medium ruby. Nose shows an almost liqueur-like ripeness, along with notes of bitter chocolate and menthol; a great expression of ripe but youthfully unevolved cabernet franc. Extremely dense and pure but still quite tight and showing a minty austerity. Wonderful acids give the wine superb clarity of flavor. This will require another decade to unfold. Finishes impressively persistent and juicy. Drink 2010 through 2030." | |
| Neil Martin, Wine Journal, eRobert Parker 98 | |
| Slightly light in colour than Ausone 1998 with a little more maturity on the rim. The nose is more extrovert than Ausone, opulent and fleshy, not dissimilar to a more cultured version of the La Mondotte. It develops further nuances of sloes and black plum with ten minutes in the glass. The palate is very impressive: wonderful structure, a forceful assertive Cheval Blanc with a tad more weight and depth than Ausone. Very harmonious on the finish, the merlot dominating, although you can tell that the Cabernet Franc is lurking in the sidelines waiting to take over from 2010. A great Cheval Blanc fulfilling all its initial promise. Tasted March 2008. | |
| Robert Parker 93 | |
| This blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot exhibits a dark ruby/purple color as well as classic aromas of menthol, plums, mulberries, and assorted black fruits. The oak, texture, acidity, and tannin are all beautifully integrated. While full-bodied, elegant, concentrated, and impeccably balanced, it requires several years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020. | |
| Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 98 | |
| Enticing nose offers minty blackcurrant, rose petal, cedar, and red cherry liqueur aromas. Then rich, suave and dense in the mouth, with voluptuous red cherry, raspberry, mineral and cocoa flavors complicated by tobacco and flinty nuances. The finish is smoothly tannic and extremely long, with a strong mineral nuance and just a hint of phenolic dryness. An extremely refined Cheval Blanc, exhibiting impeccable balance and breed; very cabernet franc-dominated and hence very Cheval Blanc. The year was memorable for a bout of frost on May 29 that sharply reduced crop levels; the summer started hot, then turned cool, but temperatures warmed up again during a magnificent September. The harvest took place from September 18 to 27. Only 160 barriques were made from a freakishly low yield. I have encountered bottle variation with the 1961 Cheval Blanc, which I've tasted 11 times through the years, but this particular bottle was pretty unforgettable. Dan Agata |