93 By Robert Parker
Tasted at the château, the 1986 Cheval Blanc has a far superior bouquet to the 1996 Cheval Blanc when I tasted them side by side. The aromatics here are far more cohesive and complex, very delineated with expressive Cabernet Franc, hints of cooked meat, cranberry, juniper berries and wilted rose petals - just gorgeous. The palate is beautifully balanced with slightly furry tannin that is offset by a superb seam of acidity. It is nicely structured but not overbearing, leather and truffle filtering through the black fruit and while there is a little austerity on the finish, it is purely complementary. Though 1986 is not known as a Right Bank vintage, the 1986 Cheval Blanc pulled victory out of the bag and at 30 years, it continues to give immense pleasure. Tasted July 2016.Tasted at the château, the 1986 Cheval Blanc has a far superior bouquet to the 1996 Cheval Blanc when I tasted them side by side. The aromatics here are far more cohesive and complex, very delineated with expressive Cabernet Franc, hints of cooked meat, cranberry, juniper berries and wilted rose petals - just gorgeous. The palate is beautifully balanced with slightly furry tannin that is offset by a superb seam of acidity. It is nicely structured but not overbearing, leather and truffle filtering through the black fruit and while there is a little austerity on the finish, it is purely complementary. Though 1986 is not known as a Right Bank vintage, the 1986 Cheval Blanc pulled victory out of the bag and at 30 years, it continues to give immense pleasure. Tasted July 2016.
93 By Robert Parker
Tasted at the château, the 1986 Cheval Blanc has a far superior bouquet to the 1996 Cheval Blanc when I tasted them side by side. The aromatics here are far more cohesive and complex, very delineated with expressive Cabernet Franc, hints of cooked meat, cranberry, juniper berries and wilted rose petals - just gorgeous. The palate is beautifully balanced with slightly furry tannin that is offset by a superb seam of acidity. It is nicely structured but not overbearing, leather and truffle filtering through the black fruit and while there is a little austerity on the finish, it is purely complementary. Though 1986 is not known as a Right Bank vintage, the 1986 Cheval Blanc pulled victory out of the bag and at 30 years, it continues to give immense pleasure. Tasted July 2016.Tasted at the château, the 1986 Cheval Blanc has a far superior bouquet to the 1996 Cheval Blanc when I tasted them side by side. The aromatics here are far more cohesive and complex, very delineated with expressive Cabernet Franc, hints of cooked meat, cranberry, juniper berries and wilted rose petals - just gorgeous. The palate is beautifully balanced with slightly furry tannin that is offset by a superb seam of acidity. It is nicely structured but not overbearing, leather and truffle filtering through the black fruit and while there is a little austerity on the finish, it is purely complementary. Though 1986 is not known as a Right Bank vintage, the 1986 Cheval Blanc pulled victory out of the bag and at 30 years, it continues to give immense pleasure. Tasted July 2016.
89 By Wine Spectator
Not as good as expected. I have not tasted it for almost 10 years. Good ruby color. Aromas of leather, berry and horse. Slight raisin character. Full-bodied, with fine tannins. Somewhat pointed and dry. A bit rough. Where is it going?--Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now. JS Country:<br/>France
16 By Rene Gabriel
Bei der Fassdegustation erging es mir wie anderen Journalisten, denn ich unterschätzte diesen Wein um Mittleres, gereiftes Bouquet. Morsches Bouquet, nasser Waldboden, kalte Auberginen-Anti-Pasti, feuchter Torf, eingelegte, chinesische Pilze, vollkommen fruchtlos. Im Gaumen weich, eigentlich – vom Körper her – angenehm, aber der Grundgeschmack weiss nicht zu gefallen. Da soll es bessere Flaschen geben. Aufgrund der Erfahrungen mit diesem enttäuschenden Wein frage ich mich, wie viel besser diese dann sein könnten? 16/20 austrinken
89 By Wine Spectator
Not as good as expected. I have not tasted it for almost 10 years. Good ruby color. Aromas of leather, berry and horse. Slight raisin character. Full-bodied, with fine tannins. Somewhat pointed and dry. A bit rough. Where is it going?--Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now. JS Country:<br/>France
16 By Rene Gabriel
Bei der Fassdegustation erging es mir wie anderen Journalisten, denn ich unterschätzte diesen Wein um Mittleres, gereiftes Bouquet. Morsches Bouquet, nasser Waldboden, kalte Auberginen-Anti-Pasti, feuchter Torf, eingelegte, chinesische Pilze, vollkommen fruchtlos. Im Gaumen weich, eigentlich – vom Körper her – angenehm, aber der Grundgeschmack weiss nicht zu gefallen. Da soll es bessere Flaschen geben. Aufgrund der Erfahrungen mit diesem enttäuschenden Wein frage ich mich, wie viel besser diese dann sein könnten? 16/20 austrinken
Tasted at the château, the 1986 Cheval Blanc has a far superior bouquet to the 1996 Cheval Blanc when I tasted them side by side. The aromatics here are far more cohesive and complex, very delineated with expressive Cabernet Franc, hints of cooked meat, cranberry, juniper berries and wilted rose petals - just gorgeous. The palate is beautifully balanced with slightly furry tannin that is offset by a superb seam of acidity. It is nicely structured but not overbearing, leather and truffle filtering through the black fruit and while there is a little austerity on the finish, it is purely complementary. Though 1986 is not known as a Right Bank vintage, the 1986 Cheval Blanc pulled victory out of the bag and at 30 years, it continues to give immense pleasure. Tasted July 2016.Tasted at the château, the 1986 Cheval Blanc has a far superior bouquet to the 1996 Cheval Blanc when I tasted them side by side. The aromatics here are far more cohesive and complex, very delineated with expressive Cabernet Franc, hints of cooked meat, cranberry, juniper berries and wilted rose petals - just gorgeous. The palate is beautifully balanced with slightly furry tannin that is offset by a superb seam of acidity. It is nicely structured but not overbearing, leather and truffle filtering through the black fruit and while there is a little austerity on the finish, it is purely complementary. Though 1986 is not known as a Right Bank vintage, the 1986 Cheval Blanc pulled victory out of the bag and at 30 years, it continues to give immense pleasure. Tasted July 2016.
