1975 Château Cheval Blanc

A classical and very typical/traditional vintage of Cheval kindly served at the château in the very room where I was once served it blind by Jacques Hébrard, the old owner. It was not flattered by the cherry cheesecake accompaniment but is still a beautiful, langorous, very persistent wine. The fruit is gently fading and there was a light aroma of digestive biscuits. By no means heavy but well balanced. (JR)

Dark colour with orange rim. Very, very sweet and rich and luscious. Dusty nose. Gorgeous now. Slightly medicinal note. Definite minerality, almost the smell of warm rocks. Fades slightly fast. (JR)

This wine is very complex aromatically, but if the bouquet deserves a 90-point score, the flavors are marginally disappointing. A big nose of spice box, cedar, black fruits, mineral, and almost an espresso-like note is followed by a somewhat tannic, medium-bodied wine with astringent tannin and a tough finish. It is showing considerable amber at the edge and probably needs to be drunk up, although it is certainly in no danger of falling apart, but I suspect it will become more and more desiccated as the wine ages. Last tasted, 12/02.