1 bottle per lot
Details
THE 1947 CHEVAL-BLANC
No other single wine possesses the mythical aura of Cheval 1947. The mere whisper of its presence can hush a crowded room into reverential silence.
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 nourished 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 élevage 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.
In 1947, producers struggled with the simplest of vineyard techniques. There was no green harvest, no temperature control, no selected yeast. From this disorder, however, sprung the phoenix of the 1947 Cheval Blanc.
It is a wine that, despite the odds of a difficult vintage and uneven production techniques, somehow emerged as a giant in the pantheon of great wines. Technology now inoculates producers from the agony of a difficult vintage and increased fastidiousness guarantees grape health, but it was art that conceived the 1947.
Critics laud the improved conditions among Bordelais producers, but inside, true wine lovers know that this modern-day precision will never be able to duplicate the mystique and finesse of the 1947 Cheval Blanc.
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1947
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
Level: mid shoulder; capsule cut by Christie's specialist to reveal vintage branded cork, Château branding obscured by mold, heavily bin soiled label
1 bottle per lot
No other single wine possesses the mythical aura of Cheval 1947. The mere whisper of its presence can hush a crowded room into reverential silence.
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 nourished 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 élevage 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.
In 1947, producers struggled with the simplest of vineyard techniques. There was no green harvest, no temperature control, no selected yeast. From this disorder, however, sprung the phoenix of the 1947 Cheval Blanc.
It is a wine that, despite the odds of a difficult vintage and uneven production techniques, somehow emerged as a giant in the pantheon of great wines. Technology now inoculates producers from the agony of a difficult vintage and increased fastidiousness guarantees grape health, but it was art that conceived the 1947.
Critics laud the improved conditions among Bordelais producers, but inside, true wine lovers know that this modern-day precision will never be able to duplicate the mystique and finesse of the 1947 Cheval Blanc.
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1947
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
Level: mid shoulder; capsule cut by Christie's specialist to reveal vintage branded cork, Château branding obscured by mold, heavily bin soiled label
1 bottle per lot
Provenance
Christie's London, May 22, 1979, lot 359