ONE THE GREATEST WINES OF ALL TIME OFFERED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY DOUBLE-MAGNUM FORMAT. A TRUE RARITY AND UNIQUE ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1947
1 double-magnum per lot
Details
CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC
The estate of Cheval Blanc is situated at the extremity of Saint Emilion bordering on Pomerol, with views of l'Evangile and La Conseillante, and offers a very curious mixture of soil and subsoil areas whose nature changes at each step. A vineyard walk along the roadside clearly illustrates this for at Cheval Blanc the soils are rich in clay, gravel, deep tan in color, the soil looks nurished and moist. A few yards away, as one encroaches upon La Dominique, the soil change is evidenced by more sand mixed with clay, altogether a lighter color, more beige than tan. Their respective wines are at opposite ends of a spectrum, those of Cheval Blanc retain breed and class. The result of Cheval Blanc's soil diversity and an extremely well-chosen selection of grape varieties, combined with the assiduous care taken over the elevage and winemaking, coalesces to make a wine of a great softness, body and delicacy, plus a delicious bouquet, but most particularly a distinctive style which makes it instantly recognizable and more importantly in demand. No other wine in the appellation has as broad a drinking plateau as that of Cheval Blanc.
The wine of Cheval Blanc for most of the last century stood alone in Saint Emilion's hierarchy. It wasn't until the mid-70s resurgence of Ausone that it had to share the stage. The vineyard had been in the Fourcaud-Laussac family for more than 150 years and covers an area of 87 acres. It has remained unchanged since 1850.
Vintage 1947 *****
"The second of the three great post-war vintage. An increasingly hot summer followed by harvesting in almost tropical conditions. The grapes had an exceptionally high sugar content but the heat caused serious fermentation problems, resulting in quite a few wines suffering from high volatile acidity. On the whole, exceptionally rich almost voluptuous wines, though some living dangerously." MB, Vintage Wine
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1947
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
Level: into neck; lightly rubbed label, capsule cut by Christie's to reveal a vintage stamped Château cork also stating "Rebouché en 1982", capsule contemporaneous with recorking date
"it is not only the most impressive, famous (and expensive) '47 but is unquestionably one of the greatest wines of all time. It did not put Cheval Blanc on the map - it was already there - but it was and is, a terrific eye-opener. First noted in March 1959 'very full flavoured, soft on the palate yet with very day almost bitter finish. Great quality'. More ecstatic notes in the mid-1966s 'full, very rich, silky, perfect' and in the margin 'knocked Lafite and Margaux out of court'! Three extremely good Harvey's bottlings interspersed with magnificent château-bottlings, including and incredibly rich, fat, ripe, magnificent magnum with high alcohol. But I could go on, and on, for I have been privileged to taste, to drink, to note the '47 Cheval Blanc on well over two dozen occasions. I confess to describing, its mammoth concentration and sweetness as 'port-like' and, dare I say it, prefer the elegance of the 1966! My best notes were made in the 1980s when it appeared to me to be at its zenith: 'huge, soft, complete, rounded, fabulous, concentration' and so forth, but also 'lacking charm', its original opacity is now medium or fairly deep. It was at its best at the Latner dinner: lovely bouquet; losing its positive sweetness, though very rich and powerful (14 alcohol) with a slightly tarry taste. Still impressive. Most recently, faultless yet- dare I say it - unexciting. At Spencer House, London, May 2000 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
1 double-magnum per lot
The estate of Cheval Blanc is situated at the extremity of Saint Emilion bordering on Pomerol, with views of l'Evangile and La Conseillante, and offers a very curious mixture of soil and subsoil areas whose nature changes at each step. A vineyard walk along the roadside clearly illustrates this for at Cheval Blanc the soils are rich in clay, gravel, deep tan in color, the soil looks nurished and moist. A few yards away, as one encroaches upon La Dominique, the soil change is evidenced by more sand mixed with clay, altogether a lighter color, more beige than tan. Their respective wines are at opposite ends of a spectrum, those of Cheval Blanc retain breed and class. The result of Cheval Blanc's soil diversity and an extremely well-chosen selection of grape varieties, combined with the assiduous care taken over the elevage and winemaking, coalesces to make a wine of a great softness, body and delicacy, plus a delicious bouquet, but most particularly a distinctive style which makes it instantly recognizable and more importantly in demand. No other wine in the appellation has as broad a drinking plateau as that of Cheval Blanc.
The wine of Cheval Blanc for most of the last century stood alone in Saint Emilion's hierarchy. It wasn't until the mid-70s resurgence of Ausone that it had to share the stage. The vineyard had been in the Fourcaud-Laussac family for more than 150 years and covers an area of 87 acres. It has remained unchanged since 1850.
Vintage 1947 *****
"The second of the three great post-war vintage. An increasingly hot summer followed by harvesting in almost tropical conditions. The grapes had an exceptionally high sugar content but the heat caused serious fermentation problems, resulting in quite a few wines suffering from high volatile acidity. On the whole, exceptionally rich almost voluptuous wines, though some living dangerously." MB, Vintage Wine
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1947
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
Level: into neck; lightly rubbed label, capsule cut by Christie's to reveal a vintage stamped Château cork also stating "Rebouché en 1982", capsule contemporaneous with recorking date
"it is not only the most impressive, famous (and expensive) '47 but is unquestionably one of the greatest wines of all time. It did not put Cheval Blanc on the map - it was already there - but it was and is, a terrific eye-opener. First noted in March 1959 'very full flavoured, soft on the palate yet with very day almost bitter finish. Great quality'. More ecstatic notes in the mid-1966s 'full, very rich, silky, perfect' and in the margin 'knocked Lafite and Margaux out of court'! Three extremely good Harvey's bottlings interspersed with magnificent château-bottlings, including and incredibly rich, fat, ripe, magnificent magnum with high alcohol. But I could go on, and on, for I have been privileged to taste, to drink, to note the '47 Cheval Blanc on well over two dozen occasions. I confess to describing, its mammoth concentration and sweetness as 'port-like' and, dare I say it, prefer the elegance of the 1966! My best notes were made in the 1980s when it appeared to me to be at its zenith: 'huge, soft, complete, rounded, fabulous, concentration' and so forth, but also 'lacking charm', its original opacity is now medium or fairly deep. It was at its best at the Latner dinner: lovely bouquet; losing its positive sweetness, though very rich and powerful (14 alcohol) with a slightly tarry taste. Still impressive. Most recently, faultless yet- dare I say it - unexciting. At Spencer House, London, May 2000 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
1 double-magnum per lot
Provenance
Provenance:
Private cellar in United Kingdom.
Re-corked at Château in 1982
With a reputable wine merchant in New York
Acquired by the current owner from the above in circa 1990.
Private cellar in United Kingdom.
Re-corked at Château in 1982
With a reputable wine merchant in New York
Acquired by the current owner from the above in circa 1990.