Chateau Cheval Blanc 1er Cru Grand Classe (A) 1982

Scores

100 / 100

"Pure class on show with Cheval's heady, perfumed and expressive 1982. Fragrant and open nose of cherries, plums, cola, vanilla, mint and perfumed floral scents. Well defined, elegant and graceful on the palate, instantly mouthwatering with something special about the vibrancy and liveliness to the wine that captivates straight away. It's sensual yet tangy, plush yet with bite and grip. Persistent with real terroir markers and such effortless enjoyment. A tasting memory that will linger long in my memory."
- Decanter

100 / 100

"The 1982 Chevel Blanc has a medium garnet-brick color and springs from the glass with scents of kirsch, dried cranberries, and pencil shavings, leading to hints of rose oil, rare steak, and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is packed with mature red fruit and earthy layers, textured with satiny tannins and delivering seamless acidity, finishing on a long-lingering mocha note. Still very youthful, this was clearly a very good bottle, coming directly from the Chateau. The yields in 1982 for Cheval Blanc were a whopping 55 hl/ha, according to Pierre Lurton."
- The Wine Independent

99 / 100

"The 1982 Cheval Blanc is a sumptuous, sensual wine, bursting with aromas of sweet raspberries, orange rind, dried flowers, cedar box, black truffles, vine smoke and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, ample and enveloping, it's supple and seamless, with a fleshy mid-palate, melting tannins and a long, expansive finish. As is often the case at this address, at age 40, it's the wine's Cabernet Franc component that really dominates its personality, meaning that it gratifies the intellect as completely as it does the senses. I've drunk the 1982 Cheval three times this year, and it has been remarkably consistently brilliant."
- The Wine Advocate

98 / 100

"Starts out with cooling waves of cold ash and mint leaf, suspended for a few moments before unrolling to reveal warmer campfire, liqourice, raspberry puree, white pepper and a blast of white truffle. Fully open, welcome and ready for sharing its pleasures, but the tannins are still cradling the fruit, and this is just so moreish, hard to resist. The generous yields that were typical of 1982 meant Cheval saw a production of 54.3hl/h. Harvest September 20 to October 2, Jacques Hebrard director and owner, with Gilles Pauquet consultant winemaker and cellar master the legendary Gaston Vaissière, who worked at the estate from 1943 to 1986."
- Jane Anson

97 / 100

"This stuck out in the blind tasting as the odd bottle out due to the high percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend. It was more like Burgundy on the nose with sliced plums, strawberries and peaches that turn to tropical fruits and chocolate and flowers. It's full-bodied with a very round texture and velvety tannins. This is so approachable and enticing. Soft and voluptuous wine."
- James Suckling

Tasting Notes