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  • Country ranking ?

    778
  • Producer ranking ?

    36
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    now to 2030
  • Food Pairing

    Beef Wellington

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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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.

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Wine Information

FEATURES OF THE VINTAGE 1950
It is an exceptional vintage for Cheval Blanc: very classical, balanced, elegant and refined. This wine is a very complete one and contains lot of body.

1950 IS AN EXCEPTIONAL VINTAGE,
A LITTLE FORGOTTEN BECAUSE OF ITS THREE
ELDERS 1947 - 1948 - 1949.
An average yield of 31 hl/ha for 12°. Its quoted value has gone up since it remained faithful to its profound, elegant andrefined personality. It has a deep iodated and creamy texture. In 1950, Cheval Blanc builds a new storehouse and modernizes all of its equipment.
Grape picking takes place from September 18th till October 6th.

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Vintage 1950

Looking more closely at the decade, attention should also be drawn to the 1950 Bordeaux vintage, which offered more quantity than quality - with a few exceptions. Due to the relatively rainy summer, expectations for the year were not very high, but the change in weather at the end of the year made it a good year, and even excellent in some areas. The wines did not have the full and balanced character of the previous year. They were rather noted for their very tannic quality. But the wines have matured with surprising grace. Many wines became more harmonious as the tannins faded.

Two vintage gems are the Cheval Blanc and the Pétrus. On the other hand, Graves La-Mission-Haut-Brion is an exceptional wine. Although the best wines are at the peak of their drinkability right now, they will remain there for years to come. Due to the large harvest and very modest reputation of the vintage, these wines can be found at very affordable prices.

 

 

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Tasting note

color

Full, Brick red and Clear

ending

Long, Pure and Lingering

flavors

Mint, Cedar and Coffee

nose

Youthful, Fresh and Ripe

recommend

Yes

taste

Well-structured, Concentrated, Multi-dimensional, Full-bodied, Elegant, Rich, Ripe and Sweet

Written Notes

1950 is an underrated vintage in Bordeaux and in many cases rightly so. This was, however, an excellent vintage in Pomerol, St. Emilion and parts of Graves. The 1950 Cheval Blanc is very rich, concentrated and youthful. There are a number of different négociant-bottlings of this wine – most are very good. Needs only a short amount decanting time and should be drunk over an hour or so. This Nicholas-bottled Cheval was in mint condition. Level by the neck. Decanted for 30 minutes before tasting. What a colour – more bright and youthful than the 1982 Cheval. Very expansive and open nose with an exotic bouquet of ripe fruit, caramel, mint and cedar. The Cheval Blanc 1950 is still a gorgeously sweet, opulent and full wine with elegant and soft tannins. At this time it presented more texture, structure and concentration than the famous 1947. Extra long and multi-dimensional finish. Very hard to resist now, but should easily last through 2010, at least.
  • 98p

Tasted in November 2021. An extremely dark colour for the vintage! Black winter truffle, grated dark chocolate and espresso coffee. Incredibly well-knitted on the palate. It was a sophisticated delicacy and confirmed this vintage's exceptional fame (Right Bank). Fantastic treat! 

  • 96p

The 1950 Cheval Blanc was bottled by Berry Brothers & Rudd two floors below where it was opened some 69 years later. The 1950 is a highly regarded vintage, revered on the Right Bank, but poorly so on the Left. This was similar to two château-bottled examples that I have tasted previously, albeit not for many years. Deep in color with thin bricking on the rim, it has a glorious bouquet of ample red cherries, wild strawberry and blood orange, signifying a Saint-Émilion that must have been precocious in its youth. There is something almost sorbet-like about the aromatics, despite the wine’s age. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, a fine bead of acidity and real intensity that reminds me of the 1948. I detect just a soupçon of volatile acidity that is a trait, even a virtue, of Cheval Blanc from this era, imparting a tangible edginess that counters its intensity. A marvelous wine that continues to give pleasure.

  • 94p
1950 is an underrated vintage and in many cases rightly so. This was however an excellent vintage in Pomerol, St. Emilion and parts of Graves. The 1950 Cheval Blanc is very rich, concentrated and youthful. There are a number of different bottlings of this wine – most are very good. Needs only short decanting time and should be drunk over an hour or so.
  • 98p
Dark, brick red colour. Reserved, refined, capsicum. Medium-bodied, acidic, slightly green tannins. Tight and concentrated mouthfeel. Bit austere. This wine shouts for a juicy steak!
  • 92p
Deep ruby, thin brown rim, lots of sediments. Some floral notes, coffee, leather and figs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, plums and figs, drying. On the verge. Interesting rather than great.
  • 85p
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Information

Origin

St. Emilion, Bordeaux

Vintage Quality

Excellent

Value For Money

Good

Investment potential

Good

Fake factory

Serious

Glass time

1h
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