"I always feel guilty when I drink John's best bottles. This time, perhaps, less so than usual considering that both wines were my gifts to him, not because he was a great customer to HIGH FIDELITY SSS, but because I enjoy sharing wine with him. The feeling must be mutual. I will never forget the evening when we began with a MOUTON 1959 followed by a RICHEBOURG DRC 1962 (both wines complimented each other perfectly) but with steak and mushrooms still on our plates begging for a worthy wine to follow the preceding ones, I could only think of one solution. So, what the hell, we decided on a CHEVAL BLANC 1947. This is, without a doubt, the greatest wine I know. It really dwarfed both the MOUTON and the RICHEBOURG. This wine really defies description. Rub your lamp and tell the genie just exactly how you expect your dream wine to taste. But that would be a waste of time and effort. Order a few cases of CHEVAL BLANC 1947 instead."
Lee Kramer
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1947
24 half-bottles Estimate on Request
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.
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1947
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
Lot 179 levels: seven top, eight upper/mid, six mid shoulder and three low shoulder; bin soiled labels, corroded capsules, torn labels, two depressed corks. Lot 180 levels; eight top, eight upper, four mid, three mid/low and one low shoulder; lightly faded labels, corroded capsules, one depressed cork and one damaged capsule
Lot 180 in original wooden case, removed from tissue
"It is not only the most impressive, famous (and expensive) '47 but is unquestionably one of the greatest wines of all time. 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
24 half-bottles Estimate on Request
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.
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1947
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
Lot 179 levels: seven top, eight upper/mid, six mid shoulder and three low shoulder; bin soiled labels, corroded capsules, torn labels, two depressed corks. Lot 180 levels; eight top, eight upper, four mid, three mid/low and one low shoulder; lightly faded labels, corroded capsules, one depressed cork and one damaged capsule
Lot 180 in original wooden case, removed from tissue
"It is not only the most impressive, famous (and expensive) '47 but is unquestionably one of the greatest wines of all time. 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
24 half-bottles Estimate on Request