12 bottles per lot
Details
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1988
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
As far as weather is concerned, 1988 saw dry but rather cool conditions. While the year got off to a damp start, severe drought settled in from the end of June onwards. From July to September, total rainfall was no more than 40 mm. September got off to a good start with three days at over 33C followed by a rather cool period for the end of the grape ripening process. This was a year when the vine vegetation cycle got off to a rather late start, with flowering around 10th June and veraison around 20th August. While pressure from downy mildew was strong at the start of the vegetation cycle, all risks of the disease were ruled out with the return of good conditions after flowering. The rather cool, dry weather during ripening contributed enormously to producing grapes of great aromatic richness. Harvesting proceeded in good weather conditions from 1st to 10th October, with the grapes showing a very nicely-balanced sugar to acidity ratio. Yields were 40 hl/ha.
Tasting note:
very good, firm, good length, dry finish. Overall a sweet and lovely wine. Last tasted April 2006 ****(*) Now - 2015, or beyond. MB
12 bottles per lot
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
As far as weather is concerned, 1988 saw dry but rather cool conditions. While the year got off to a damp start, severe drought settled in from the end of June onwards. From July to September, total rainfall was no more than 40 mm. September got off to a good start with three days at over 33C followed by a rather cool period for the end of the grape ripening process. This was a year when the vine vegetation cycle got off to a rather late start, with flowering around 10th June and veraison around 20th August. While pressure from downy mildew was strong at the start of the vegetation cycle, all risks of the disease were ruled out with the return of good conditions after flowering. The rather cool, dry weather during ripening contributed enormously to producing grapes of great aromatic richness. Harvesting proceeded in good weather conditions from 1st to 10th October, with the grapes showing a very nicely-balanced sugar to acidity ratio. Yields were 40 hl/ha.
Tasting note:
very good, firm, good length, dry finish. Overall a sweet and lovely wine. Last tasted April 2006 ****(*) Now - 2015, or beyond. MB
12 bottles per lot