12 bottles per lot
Details
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1993
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
1993 got off to a mild start, and these conditions continued through until the end of June, with dry weather from January to March followed by twice the normal rainfall for the region from April to June. While July was cool and moderately rainy, August turned out to be dry with close-to-average temperatures. A period of very good weather in the middle ten days of August was to prove decisive for the quality of this vintage: a slight water deficit caused the grapes to stop swelling and slowed down vine growth. September was cold and very wet from the 9th onwards and the autumnal conditions continued throughout the first half of October. The vine growth cycle was relatively early, with budburst on 2nd April and the veraison mid-point being reached on 6th August for the Merlot and on the 13th for the Cabernet Franc. The wet June weather gave rise to strong pressure from downy mildew, hence the importance of careful phytosanitary protection. Harvesting started on 20th September for the Merlot, and 27th September for the Cabernet Franc, and continued until 5th October. Despite the rain in September, the oenological quality of the harvest was good. It was as if the quality potential of the harvest had been reached by the end of the first week of September and was then preserved thanks to the low temperatures. Alcohol content was satisfactory and acidity levels were rather low.
Tasting note:
A 50/50 Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend first tasted in cask. A magnum three years later: good young fruit, surprisingly assertive. But a relatively minor Cheval-Blanc. Most recently: medium, maturing, watery rim; attractive nose, whiff of iron, mellow yet shallow, lightish, style, nice weight, refreshing acidity. Last tasted Jan 2006 *** Now - 2010. MB
12 bottles per lot
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
1993 got off to a mild start, and these conditions continued through until the end of June, with dry weather from January to March followed by twice the normal rainfall for the region from April to June. While July was cool and moderately rainy, August turned out to be dry with close-to-average temperatures. A period of very good weather in the middle ten days of August was to prove decisive for the quality of this vintage: a slight water deficit caused the grapes to stop swelling and slowed down vine growth. September was cold and very wet from the 9th onwards and the autumnal conditions continued throughout the first half of October. The vine growth cycle was relatively early, with budburst on 2nd April and the veraison mid-point being reached on 6th August for the Merlot and on the 13th for the Cabernet Franc. The wet June weather gave rise to strong pressure from downy mildew, hence the importance of careful phytosanitary protection. Harvesting started on 20th September for the Merlot, and 27th September for the Cabernet Franc, and continued until 5th October. Despite the rain in September, the oenological quality of the harvest was good. It was as if the quality potential of the harvest had been reached by the end of the first week of September and was then preserved thanks to the low temperatures. Alcohol content was satisfactory and acidity levels were rather low.
Tasting note:
A 50/50 Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend first tasted in cask. A magnum three years later: good young fruit, surprisingly assertive. But a relatively minor Cheval-Blanc. Most recently: medium, maturing, watery rim; attractive nose, whiff of iron, mellow yet shallow, lightish, style, nice weight, refreshing acidity. Last tasted Jan 2006 *** Now - 2010. MB
12 bottles per lot