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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
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 FORTIES. THIS IS A WINE WITH A LARGE
AROMATIC COMPLEXITY.
This year is an ecological disaster: fire devours the Landes and in August reaches the gates of Bordeaux: 5500 pine acres are destroyed, dozens of deaths, drought rages during this summer of 1949. Grape picking takes place from September 26th till October 9th. Although the grapes are small and a yield of 24 hl/ha, the vintage is exceptional with Cabernet Franc prevailing, despite the loss of all its leaves during drought. 12°4 alcohol for this wine, perfect all its lifetime.
Recommended glass shape
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.
