1989 Cheval Blanc
By Chateau Cheval Blanc
1989 Cheval Blanc from Chateau Cheval Blanc, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Held in the company of the most revered Bordeaux vintages, the 1989 Cheval Blanc from Chateau Cheval Blanc is a triumphant symphony of viticultural precision and nature's benevolence. My extensive explorations of Saint-Émilion's offerings have led me on many a vinous odyssey, yet the '89 incarnation remains a beacon of sublimity amidst its peers.
Exceptional Pedigree in a Singular Vintage
Allow me the indulgence to articulate why this wine finds its place at the zenith of investment-grade collectables. The year 1989 was graced with climatic alchemy; judicious warmth and light provided an exquisite setting for Cabernet Franc and Merlot to flourish. The resulting alchemy in the glass echoes this serendipity, bestowing upon us a creation that is at once opulent yet exquisitely balanced.
A Tapestry Woven from Complex Terroir
The 1989 Cheval Blanc articulates its narrative through a palate rich with dark fruits, interlaced with whispers of truffle and Cuban tobacco—an elixir as complex as the diverse soils of Saint-Émilion itself. The passage of time has rendered tannins supple and has crowned the wine with a finish that is enduring and aristocratic. Thoughtful tasting reveals subtleties that continue to evolve even as the wine lingers seductively on the palate. Investment interest reflects not only its exceptional quality but also the finite supply of this extraordinary vintage.
Nurturing Rarity into Liquid Majesty
For those who seek to not merely possess but understand fine wine, the subtle climatic nuances of 1989 have etched their signature into this venerated release from Chateau Cheval Blanc. Its intricate flavour profile is a testament to the idyllic circumstances that conspired to create such a standout vintage. To encounter such divinity in the bottle is akin to perusing an atlas of viniculture; each sip a journey through time and terroir.
In summary, the 1989 Cheval Blanc from Chateau Cheval Blanc stands as one of the enduring jewels in Bordeaux's viticultural heritage—a definitive investment piece for connoisseurs and collectors alike, with its inherent quality ensuring that it maintains prominence amongst the pantheon of fine wines.
Current market price
£5,160.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
322.5
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted at Cheval Blanc dinner at The Ledbury. One of the finest vintages of Cheval Blanc in recent years, this is the best bottle that I have encountered. It has a show-stopping bouquet of bacon fat, roasted chestnut, blackberry and still that heavenly tincture of Italian meats. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, so vigorous and 'confident' with a tangible meatiness to that ebullient red fruit that is degrading at a glacial pace. Lovely poise on the finish with that walnut notes once again, although I did remark that over time in the glass it relinquished some of its harmony. Still, this is a Cheval that oozes charisma. Drink now-2020+ Tasted November 2010.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Sep 2011
Somewhat of a disappointment in a sometimes great yet variable vintage, the color a dark ruby with amber at the edge, this wine shows sweet plum, fig, and currant notes, along with some herbs and earth. In the mouth, it is surprisingly lightweight for a wine from a superior year, medium-bodied, relatively lush, but an essentially one-dimensional wine with a spicy, surprisingly short finish. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. Last tasted, 12/02.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 31 December 2002