1953 Cheval Blanc Bordeaux Red

1953 Cheval Blanc

96 VM

Featured Review

(12% alcohol; 52 h/h): Ruby red with an amber rim. A whiff of volatile acidity blows off to reveal aromas of clove, pine needles and mint; became fruitier with air, with red berry and cherry aromas emerging. Given the initially floral-herbal nose, this enters the mouth surprisingly sweet, dense and rich, with ripe flavors of raspberry, red cherry and underbrush nicely extended at the back by lively, harmonious acidity. Finishes with above-average concentration and outstanding length and precision, with a strong cabernet franc personality to its lingering floral and white pepper spiciness. I've always thought of the 1953 Cheval Blanc as a wine of finesse and charm (at least from my prior tastings of it), but this bottle was remarkably powerful and full. The harvest took place from September 21 to October 7, though Pierre Lurton told me he felt this wine has an almost late-harvest personality. Pretty amazing wine given the relatively high yield of the year, and one of the stars of this vertical tasting. Vinous Media

Vinous (Galloni) | 96 VM

(Château Cheval Blanc (served from double magnum)) This particular double mag of the1953 Cheval Blanc had been recorked about a decade ago. It had been about that long since I last tasted the ’53 (out of regular-sized format at that time), and those bottles had been very good, but not great. Out of double mag, the ‘53 offers up a quintessential melange of Cheval Blanc aromatics: mulberry, red cherry, menthol, coffee, tobacco leaf, herb tones, chalky soil tones, tar and a hint of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full and quite elegant, without the haunting depth and sweetness of vintages such as 1949 or 1964, but with great intensity of flavor, a very elegant structure, and fine length and grip on the finish. I have seen notes of great bottles of the 1953, but I have yet to encounter one. This double mag was not surprisingly younger and a bit more powerful than the normal sized bottles that I drank a decade ago, but qualitatively, it was cut along the same lines. 2001-2020 (in large format). (served from double magnum) (Drink between 2001-2020)

John Gilman | 92 JG

Elegant, balanced and long. This silky red still offers cherry and berry flavors, with cedar and spicy accents and just enough grip to keep it lively. Drink now through 2003.--Cheval-Blanc vertical. — TM

Wine Spectator | 92 WS

Type of Wine	Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal	Bordeaux Blend
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.