"95 Points - Neal Martin, Vinous.com
The 1989 Cheval Blanc is a vintage that I have not encountered since 2010. One bottle opened was rustic and fatigued, and Pierre-Olivier Clouet opened a second that was much better. It has a gorgeous bouquet of ample red fruit, morels, black truffle, cigar box and hints of brown sugar, all very well defined and charming. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin and approaching full maturity; brown spices, bay leaf and clove infuse the red berry fruit. At 30 years of age, I suspect this 1989 will not improve further, but its robustness suggests that any decline will be graceful. Tasted from an ex-cellar bottle at the château. Drinking Window 2019 - 2045 Tasted September 2019"
The present-day Cheval Blanc vineyards had vines at least as far back as the 18th century, as shown by Belleyme's map of the region dated 1764. Nearly a century later, the estate was acquired by the Fourcaud-Laussac family, who owned it until 1998, when it was sold to Mr Bernard Arnault and Baron Albert Frère. The vineyard is in a single block, and borders on the Pomerol appellation. An outstanding terroir and unusual proportions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot give this great wine an absolutely unique flavour. Chateau Cheval Blanc has had a greater number of outstanding vintages than any other classified great growth over the past century. Another unusual characteristic of Cheval Blanc is that once it reaches its peak, it maintains it for a very long time. ©ugcb Tues22
