x
  • Country ranking ?

    77
  • Producer ranking ?

    6
  • Decanting time

    3h
  • When to drink

    now-2035
  • Food Pairing

    Grilled lamb chops- especially with herbs

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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1982 versus 1990 Bordeaux

When you receive an invitation to a comparative tasting of all Premier Crus from the two great vintages of 1982 and 1990, you drop everything and clear your diary. 1982 and 1990 represent the beginning and end of perhaps the greatest era in the history of Bordeaux. During these nine years there were only two vintages that could be seen as disappointments: 1984 and 1987. It could rightly be stated that the period fr...

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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 per...

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Wine Information

The 1990 IS A GREAT VINTAGE, IRRESISTIBLE..
1989 enjoyed remarkably warm, dry conditions, and the same went for 1990, although with a few spells of very hot weather. In the course of July and August,there were eleven days on which temperatures exceeded 35°C, and on some days it even came close to 40°C. From July to September, there were far more hours of sunshine than average (+27%) and rainfall was 150 mm down on average over
the year as a ...

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Vintage 1990

An early, even flowering, a warm but unspectacular summer and an exceptionally hot period during the end of August and the first half of September. It was this heat that made it possible for the record harvest to not only to fully ripen, but also to concentrate the fruit.  The harvest started on September 14 and was finished before heavy rains commenced on October 2. Another reason for the success of the vintage was that most châteaux had inve...

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Average Bottle Price

2023 2020 2017 2015 2013 2012 2011 2010 2005 2000 1995
1 170€ +7.3% 1 090€ +8.0% 1 009€ +2.3% 986€ +21.1% 814€ +5.9% 769€ -10.7% 861€ -4.1% 898€ +113.3% 421€ +41.3% 298€ +41.2% 211€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Tasting note

color

Full, Ruby red and Dark

ending

Long, Pure, Lingering and Sharp

flavors

Mint, Blackberry, Mineral, Licorice, Pepper and Vanilla

nose

Open, Complex, Fresh and Ripe

recommend

Yes

taste

Average in Acidity, Warming, Medium tannin, Complex, Concentrated, Well-Integrated, Youthful, Full-bodied, One-dimensional, Round, Rich, Fresh, Dry and Drying tannins

Verdict

Oxidised and Exotic

Written Notes

 You could not ask for more in a bottle. The perfume with its blend of spices, espresso, flowers, smoke, cocoa, tobacco, wild cherries, plums, and ash instantly grabs your focus. On the palate, the wine is pure silk and velvet, which caresses you with its layers of vibrant, earthy, pure, red, and black fruits. The concentrated finish is long, deep, intense, and sensuous, gaining in opulence in the glass. Drink from 2023-2040.

  • 100p

Another outstanding vintage. Overripe Merlot dominated at one time but Cabernet Franc has been in the ascendancy. 11-25 Sep. 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc. 38 hl/ha. In Petit Cheval 1990, 60% Cabernet Franc. Very exotic style of Cheval – very complex, truffle nose. This is a super vintage with lots of freshness for ageing. Now ready to drink.
Very dark indeed with a narrow brick rim. Aromatic and rich and lively – wonderful palate cover – meaty and concentrated and terribly flattering. With some delicacy on the finish. Real lift. But a little dry on the finish. Much more supple and voluptuous than the 1982 beside which it was served.

  • 95p

The 1990 Cheval Blanc is a vintage that once upon a time I drank regularly, although I had not seen it since March 2016. Poured against the 1990 Lafite-Rothschild, this is the clear winner. Still youthful in color with modest bricking. The bouquet explodes from the glass with kirsch, mulberry, antique furniture and black truffle scents. With aeration it becomes more savory, the Cabernet Franc wanting to see more of the olfactory action. The palate is medium-bodied and comes equipped with a stunning velvety texture. This Saint-Émilion feels spherical, conveying a sense of controlled decadence but avoiding any ostentation. This is as good a bottle as I have encountered over the years. Brilliant. Tasted at Noble Rot's “Xmas” dinner.

  • 98p

Tasted on the 9th December 2016. Cheval Blanc matched Montrose to great extent with Cabernet Franc at full blossom. Fascinating and riveting display of richness, sophisticated touch and variety of flavours.

  • 99p
Bright ruby, garnet rim. Nose has everything one want's from Cheval, rich, exotic, spicy, perfumed and even some floral high-notes. Perfect body, fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Superb balance, complex and long.
  • 98p
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Information

Origin

St. Emilion, Bordeaux

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Very good

Investment potential

Average

Fake factory

There is a possibility

Glass time

2h

Inside Information

Vintage from 11 September to 25 September - only the 1945 and the 1989 were picked earlier during this century. Strict thinning out in this prolific vintage produced 38 hl/hectare. 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% alcohol. The overripe Merlot this year was balanced by Cabernet Franc freshness. The dream comparison with 1989. In 2011 from double magnum, a nose of figs. Toast and caramel. An amazing array of scents. Fabulous, sweet, spicy cinnamon on the palate. Pure silk. Tremendously seductive with sweet leather at the end. In 2013, just incredible - one of the greatest Cheval Blancs. Serena Sutcliffe, MW WA 98+

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