1998 Cheval Blanc Bordeaux Blend

Bordeaux Blend - 750ML
Reg: $1,595.00
$1,295.00
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REVIEWS

JD 100 WA 100 JL 99 WS 98 JS 96
JD 100

jebdunnuck.com, December 2017

Another perfect wine is the 1998 Cheval Blanc, which is the usual blend of 55/45 Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Possessing an utterly captivating bouquet of sweet red and black fruits, forest floor, spice and dried flowers...
WA 100

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May 2018

The 1998 Cheval Blanc, a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-brick in color and absolutely explodes with scents of exotic spices, incense, dried roses, cigar box and licorice, with a core of crème...
JL 99

TheWineCellarInsider.com, January 2024

A few more years of age and this could hit 100 Pts. It is a thrill-a-sip wine. The nose is packed with leafy mint, smoke, cherries, licorice, flowers, cocoa, tobacco, and truffles. The wine is intense. full-bodied...
WS 98

Wine Spectator, January 2009

Aromas of blueberry, sweet tobacco, leather and pipe tobacco turning to raisins and Christmas cake. What a wine. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a very well-integrated palate. Dark color. A big and powerful wine...
JS 96

jamessuckling.com, March 2018

Aromas of rose petal and hints of fresh herbs such currant leaf. Tobacco, too. Medium body, very fine tannins and a balanced fruit. Extremely refined and polished. A beautiful harmony. So lovely now.

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Saint Emilion
Vintage 1998
Size 750ML

Chateau Cheval Blanc is a Premier Grand Cru Classe “A” estate located near Pomerol, but within the commune of Saint-Emilion. Its 39 hectares are divided into forty-five plots. While most of the appellation's other famous estates have limestone soil, Cheval Blanc's soil is alluvial, with roughly equal proportions of gravel and clay.

The vineyard has an original combination of grape varieties: 49% Cabernet Franc, 47% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Each plot has its own specific profile and, to a certain extent, are treated like separate vineyards because of differences in the age of the vines, grape variety, soil type, surface area, type of rootstock, etc. The combination of these many facets accounts for Cheval Blanc’s great complexity.

Archives show that vines have been grown at Cheval Blanc at least as far back as the 15th century, but the most prestigious part of Cheval Blanc's history can be dated from 1832 when the core plot of the present-day estate was purchased by Jean-Jacques Ducasse, President of the Libourne Trade Tribunal. Over the next twenty years, the purchase of plots belonging to Chateau Figeac led to the vineyard as we know it today.

The impressive 6,000 square-meter cellar adjacent to the chateau, designed by Christian de Portzamparc and inaugurated in June 2011, houses a state-of-the-art winemaking facility and features two enormous waves of white concrete that rise magnificently out of the ground. There is a garden of wild grasses atop an artificial hill, whose gracious curves are overlooked by the chateau. The wine cellar holds fifty-two concrete vats in six rows.

Formerly known as vin de Figeac, this wine was first sold under the name Cheval Blanc in 1852. The first gold medal won by Cheval Blanc came at the 1878 Universal Exhibition in Paris and that distinction appears on the label.

Each vineyard plot is vinified separately. At the start of fermentation, the juice is gently pumped over three times daily. As fermentation proceeds, pump-over frequency decreases and is eventually stopped when the desired level of extraction has been reached.

The young wine is aged 16 to 18 months in new French oak barrels. Six to seven different coopers are used to ensure complexity and harmony. During this period, the wine is racked by hand five to seven times. Blending takes place after the first three months.

Introducing the 1998 Cheval Blanc, a Bordeaux Blend from the esteemed Cheval Blanc winery in the Saint Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This exceptional wine, with its deep garnet-brick color, is a true masterpiece that has garnered high praise from wine connoisseurs and experts.

On the nose, the 1998 Cheval Blanc entices with a symphony of aromas. Notes of blueberry, sweet tobacco, leather, and pipe tobacco intermingle, gradually transitioning into scents of raisins and Christmas cake. The complexity and range of aromas are truly remarkable, making this wine a sensory delight.

As you take your first sip, you'll be greeted by a full-bodied and powerful wine that still retains its youthful vigor. The chewy tannins are well-integrated, providing structure and balance to the palate. This wine is a blockbuster, leaving a lasting impression with its massive presence. It is undeniably a baby, with its best drinking years lying ahead after 2013.

Renowned wine critic James Suckling describes the 1998 Cheval Blanc as extremely refined and polished, with medium body and very fine tannins. The fruit is beautifully balanced, creating a harmonious and elegant profile. This wine is a testament to the winery's commitment to excellence.

Jancis Robinson, another respected wine expert, notes the exceptional sweetness and power of this vintage, which is unusual for Cheval Blanc. However, the wine maintains its signature sophistication, with exceptionally well-polished tannins and great density.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awards a perfect score of 100 to the 1998 Cheval Blanc. The wine is praised for its explosive aromas of exotic spices, incense, dried roses, and cigar box. The palate is filled with rich, plush fruit, and the mid-palate delivers an explosion of Chinese five spice and floral perfume sparks. This wine is a masterpiece that can be cellared for another 30 years or more.

Jeb Dunnuck describes the 1998 Cheval Blanc as a perfect wine, with an utterly captivating bouquet of sweet red and black fruits, forest floor, spice, and dried flowers. It possesses depth, complexity, elegance, and length, making it a sensory marvel.

In conclusion, the 1998 Cheval Blanc is a wine that embodies the artistry and craftsmanship of the Cheval Blanc winery. With its explosive aromas, powerful yet refined palate, and exceptional longevity, this wine is a true gem that will undoubtedly impress any discerning wine enthusiast.