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Country ranking ?
240
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Producer ranking ?
15
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Decanting time
2h
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When to drink
now to 2030
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Food Pairing
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Food Pairing
Skirt Steak with Pomegranate Sauce
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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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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FEATURES OF THE VINTAGE
1949 was marked by severe drought conditions. This dry weather concentrated the grapes, enabling them to produce remarkable wine, the last of the decade's trio of great vintages. Possessing a remarkable tannic structure and enormous aromatic complexity, 1949 can be considered the epitome of Cheval Blanc's true essence compared to the atypical 1947 and 1948
1949 IS THE LAST OF THE THREE GREAT VINTAGES
OF THE F...
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In Bordeaux, the decade culminated in the hot year of 1949, when Bordeaux was hit by an unprecedented period of drought. Cold, rainy weather had hampered germination, resulting in an exceptionally uneven distribution of pollen. This, in turn, led to a record harvest. With the arrival of summer, Bordeaux was subjected to a heatwave like it had never seen before. Temperatures of up to 43°C have been recorded in Médoc. Early September brought mas...
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Average Bottle Price
2023 |
2020 |
2015 |
2010 |
2005 |
2000 |
1995 |
1 890€
+30.3%
|
1 450€
+70.6%
|
850€
+19.7%
|
710€
+97.2%
|
360€
+12.5%
|
320€
+52.4%
|
210€
|
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.
Latest Pro-tasting notes
32 tasting notes
Tasting note
color
Full, Brick red and Pale
ending
Long, Spicy and Round
flavors
Blackcurrant, Plum, Mineral, Blackberry, Blueberry and Vanilla
nose
Intense, Opulent, Generous and Refined
recommend
Yes
taste
Average in Acidity, Balanced, Concentrated, Complex, Mature, Full-bodied, Ripe, Rich, Elegant and Medium-Sweet
Verdict
Impressive and Excellent
Written Notes
The bar was set quite highly right away with a 1949 Cheval Blanc. While it was a Calvet Negociant bottling, I don’t recall a Chateau-bottling that was ever considerably better. It needed a minute to blow off some old, pent-up steam, but there was deep fruit inside with some wheat thin borders. Dark and rich, this was a classic Cheval with a sturdy, thick finish that came across youthfully (96).
Tasted in July 2024. It was the second time I tasted this famous vintage from this property, first time being in December 1988. In July 2024, it tasted differently. It lacked the same level of sweetness, but displayed the same staggering level of complexity, concentration, and tension. I believe this wine has an unlimited ageing potential!
Garnet colour with brick red hue. Refined nose with balmy character, ripe fruit and floral hints. On the palate great depth and length, still showing freshness, balmy spices and hints of dried fruit in the aftertaste. Excellent.
Vandermeulen bottle, half rotten, old cork stating Vandermeulen Ostende. Deep ruby, orange rim. Dusty nose first, quickly blowing over to plums, figs, slightly of VA, cassis and perfumed. Fresh acidity, high even, mouthwatering, full bodied. Ripe tannins, intense, fragrant and lifted, savory, very long
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Information
Origin
St. Emilion, Bordeaux
Vintage Quality
Outstanding
Value For Money
Very good
Investment potential
Good
Fake factory
Serious
Other wines from this producer
Le Petit Cheval Blanc
Petit Cheval