Beschreibung:

Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1982
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CHEVAL BLANC LAY OF THE LAND: TERROIR 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 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 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. A TRIO OF VIEW POINTS A recent stunning example. Mature yet showing notable signs of complexity. On this night, Cheval Blanc '82 had it's Sunday church dress on and was ready for the minister to take his microphone. A sermon from 1982 was about to be delivered. The texture, as expected, is rich, lucious and beautifully proportioned. As with all great Bordeaux in top vintages it was of colossal size yet effortlessly glided across the pallet with ease and wonderment. I served this to a group of connoisseurs in a single 1982 Bordeaux flight consisting of all the great wines from that notable vintage. It was voted best of the night, easily out pacing Latour and Margaux. A memorable bottled donated by a client of Christie's for The Connoisseur's Lecture Series presented by Christie's for the San Diego Museum of Art, March 2006. ST "At the very extensive Cheval Blanc tasting, a magnum, the wine by now showing considerable maturity with an orange edge and 'legs' as impressive as the arches of Durham Cathedral; rich, bricky bouquet; well evolved with extract but with a slightly bitter tannic-iron finish. Last noted at Christie's tasting in Tokyo, Nov 1999 ****(*) Good Life ahead" MB, Vintage Wine "A gorgeously sweet entry displays flavors of caramel, roasted coffee, jammy red and black fruits, coconut, and smoke. It is fat and full-bodied, with considerable tannin, structure, and muscle in the finish. Flamboyantly rich and precocious early in life, it is going through an awkward stage where the tannin is present, but it is also sexy, juicy, and formidably-structured." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #129 (Jun 2000) Property of a Gentleman The following lots were recently removed by Christie's from a temperature and humidity controlled, private, below ground level, home cellar. Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1982 Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A) Level: into neck 1 impériale per lot