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Wine Description
The Story
Whether by design or by pure chance, there are in the world exceptional places. Cheval Blanc is one of these. Combining a unique soil with a symbiotic mix of grape varieties, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, Cheval Blanc produces a wine, which has the rare quality of being good at any age. It is without doubt one of the most consistent wines in the world. Cheval Blanc's unique identity is due to its varied soils, early-ripening microclimate, the percentage of Cabernet Franc in the vineyard, and the close proximity of the finest wines of Pomerol.
Château Cheval Blanc has the rare ability to be good at whatever age. It is enjoyable young or as much as a century old in certain vintages. However, a great wine only reveals its full potential and all its subtle nuances after several years in bottle. It takes time to show its true colours and before reaching its peak. Every vintage of Cheval Blanc is made according to the traditional philosophy that great wine needs to age.
It should nevertheless be said that wines with ageing potential go through several periods, and that each one has its own type of attractiveness. This is all part of Château Cheval Blanc's fascinating complexity. Three different bottles of Cheval Blanc from the same vintage drunk at five, twenty, and forty years of age will each show a different facet of the same wine, variations on the same lovely theme. A bottle of fine wine meant to age is like a library of flavours that develop throughout its existence.
Wine is a "cultural" beverage that is very much alive and develops countless nuances over time. That is why this long waiting period needs to be respected. It is crucial to the wine's evolution, so that it can deliver its very best.
Wine Information
THE SUCCESS OF THIS VINTAGE
OF CHEVAL BLANC WAS EXCEPTIONAL
The lovely intense robe is the perfect reflection of this vintage. The bouquet is ethereal and of great finesse, with truffle and game scents as well as menthol and mineral
touches, with a hint of toast and torrefaction. On the palate, this is a fresh, lively wine boasting remarkable volume and power. The aftertaste is impressively fine
and long-lasting.
The 1978 has now reached magnificent maturity, yet can still be kept for many years
to come.
After occasional rain in early summer, temperatures were below average throughout
summer and autumn 1978, although that early rain gave way to drought conditions
throughout the region from August through to harvests. Picking only started on
October 9th to make the most of excellent weather towards the end of the season,
and the grapes were collected in ideal conditions, with harvesting coming to a
close on October 18th.
Due to the cool temperatures, the growth cycle of the vines was fairly late, and
the spring saw strong pressure from mildew. While many Bordeaux wines of this
vintage are a little hard, the early-ripening ecosystem at Cheval Blanc meant the
grapes were perfectly ripe by the time they were picked. Yields remained very
low at 28 hectoliters per hectare.
Vintage 1978
Bordeaux Vintage Report / 1978 turned out to be a very good vintage particularly in Pauillac and St Julien.
“The miracle vintage”. Just about everything that could go wrong went wrong until mid-August. But thanks to the beautiful sun and the heat from that moment on, the vintage was saved. The best wines come from Médoc and Graves. Château La Mission Haut Brion produces the wine of the vintage. I had very good bottles of Châteaux Margaux, Léoville Las Cases, Latour, Haut Brion, Cheval Blanc, Pichon Lalande and Palmer. Most wines should be drunk soon.
It would be wise to choose the best chateaux of this vintage just because some of the lesser estates are on the hill. The best will continue to drink until 2010-2012. Lafite Rothschild is the wine of the vintage.
