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.

The 1998 Cheval Blanc is a Bordeaux Blend hailing from the Saint Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Cheval Blanc, boasts an alcohol content of 13.0% and is known for its deep garnet-brick color and complex flavor profile.

Wine Spectator rated the 1998 Cheval Blanc with an impressive 98 points, describing it as a "blockbuster" wine with aromas of blueberry, sweet tobacco, leather, and pipe tobacco, transitioning to raisins and Christmas cake. The wine is described as full-bodied with chewy tannins and a very well-integrated palate, still powerful and just beginning to showcase its potential. According to the publication, this wine is best enjoyed after 2013.

James Suckling awarded the wine 96 points, highlighting its "aromas of rose petal and hints of fresh herbs such as currant leaf" along with tobacco notes. Suckling praises its medium body, very fine tannins, and balanced fruit, describing it as "extremely refined and polished" with "a beautiful harmony." He suggests that the wine is lovely to drink now.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the 1998 Cheval Blanc a perfect score of 100 points. The review notes the wine's blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc and describes it as "absolutely exploding with scents of exotic spices, incense, dried roses, cigar box, and licorice." The palate is said to be rich and plush, with a mid-palate explosion of Chinese five spice and floral perfume, leading to an epically long finish. Parker's Wine Advocate notes that this wine can easily cellar for another 30 years or more.

Jeb Dunnuck also awarded the wine 100 points, noting its "utterly captivating bouquet of sweet red and black fruits, forest floor, spice, and dried flowers." Dunnuck describes the wine as possessing muscle and depth while being expansive, elegant, and seamless, with no hard edges. He recommends drinking this "sensational beauty" over the coming two decades, but sees no reason to wait.

Jeff Leve of The Wine Cellar Insider rated the wine 99 points, indicating that with a few more years of age, it could reach a perfect score. Leve describes it as a "thrill-a-sip wine" with a nose packed with leafy mint, smoke, cherries, licorice, flowers, cocoa, tobacco, and truffles. This full-bodied wine is noted for its intensity, opulence, and sensuous nature, with layers of fruit on the mid-palate and a seamless finish.

Overall, the 1998 Cheval Blanc is highly praised by professional reviewers for its complexity, richness, and potential for aging, making it a standout wine in any collection.