1995FOR CHEVAL BLANC IT IS A VERY GOOD VINTAGE THAT EXCELS IN BALANCE.

FEATURES OF THE VINTAGE

Another hot year with temperatures 1.4°C above average. After a mild, dry spring, scorching heat reigned through July and August, reaching the highest temperatures recorded for 45 years. Summer rainfall was somewhat low at Cheval Blanc.

SeptembeSeptember started in the cold and rain, but dried up going into the last ten days of the month, and conditions were clement throughout October. These remarkable weather conditions again caused the vine cycle to be ahead of the normal schedule. Budburst was around 27th March, the mid-point of flowering on 1st June and mid-veraison on 4th August for the Merlot and the 12th for the Cabernet Franc. The harvests took place from 15th to 28th September in good weather.

IIn the previous 50 years at Cheval Blanc, only the 1989 and 1990 vintages had been picked earlier. The grapes were in perfect condition and arrived in the winery with the ideal concentration of those great hot, dry years, being rich in sugars and phenolic compounds, and low in acidity. The natural alcohol content of the Merlot was well over 13°, and that of the Cabernet Franc barely half a degree less. The volume of the harvest was slightly above average. The blend for that year’s Château Cheval Blanc, is made of 53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot.

TASTING THE VINTAGE

A very dark ruby-red in the centre, with a hint of changing colour around the rim. The bouquet is powerful and smooth, dominated by Merlot. Ripe plums and black-currant take turns with torrefaction (coffee, mocha), leather, truffles and violets, and even exotic hints of dried banana and coconut. The woody vanilla hints blend in superbly. The attack on the palate is fresh and elegant, fleshy and concentrated with very ripe but not over-ripe fruit. The tannins are mellow and the finish intense. 1995 is a graceful vintage to be enjoyed now or left to age longer.

1995TASTING THE VINTAGE

The colour of Petit Cheval 1995 reveals its good concentration, with a very deep centre. The first nose is very intense with a bouquet of mint, eucalyptus, very ripe and almost crystallised fruit, orange peel, quince and crystallised banana.

When swirled around the glass, we discover touches of leather, truffles, spices and cinnamon. The attack on the palate is very velvety yet still fresh. Very ripe fruit dominates.