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  • Country ranking ?

    235
  • Producer ranking ?

    15
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    now to 2030
  • Food Pairing

    Skirt Steak with Pomegranate Sauce

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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

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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Vintage 1949

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.

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).
  • 96p

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!

  • 99p

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. 

  • 98p
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
  • 98p
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Information

Origin

St. Emilion, Bordeaux

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Very good

Investment potential

Good

Fake factory

Serious
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