1964 Château Cheval Blanc

The 1964 Cheval Blanc is a legendary wine, and having been privileged to taste it several times, I believe this might well be the finest specimen that I have ever tasted. It's, quite simply, magical. Utterly ethereal on its kaleidoscopic nose, it offers melted red fruit, shavings of black truffle, wilted rose petals and sous-bois . There is an unerring sense of symmetry. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins that frame the millefeuille of red and black fruit, hints of meat juices, clove and truffle. It possesses ethereal poise and fans out with effortless audacity on the finish. This is a bona fide perfect wine that is so good that it's almost impossible to translate into words. Tasted at Medlar restaurant to celebrate my The Complete Bordeaux Vintage Guide book.

Magnum. Generously donated by Marc Nadeau of L’Academie du Vin at a British Columbia wine dinner. A famous wine and one that Jacques Hebrard gave me blind when I first visited the château. The wine may be fading a little but is still glorious. Notes of balsam and sweet biscuits, all layered in a most entrancing, complex fashion. Such freshness and still very healthy. Glorious. (JR)

A completely stunning wine, so rich and concentrated that we thought it might be Petrus. Thick, sweet, velvety, meaty – almost medicinal. Gloriously hedonistic. Pure pleasure.  (JR)