1953 Cheval Blanc

Amazingly, this wine is still dark crimson, even if the rim is quite mature. The nose was wonderfully pure and jewelly in texture – so perfumed and refined!  This wine after all was made only six years after the miraculous 1947. This was a wine with a really refreshing line to it and is not at all heavy. Lovely life to it still.  (JR)

Magnum. Very dark ruby with wonderful shading towards the rim. Open, obviously fully evolved and an extremely very ripe, rich, almost burnt, nose so exotic and heady that it didn't immediately scream Cheval. It seemed a little bit less fragrant and ethereal than some vintages with some chocolate notes. I found it very slightly porty, although some other tasters were more enthusiastic. I felt it was on the way down. (JR)

In the fifties, the greatest vintage is the 1953. I am sure this wine has been fully mature for at least 15-20 years. Nevertheless, it has held its magic for that considerable period, and is still the most fragrant, and from an aromatic perspective, the most compelling Cheval Blanc I have ever tasted. Perhaps the 1982 will turn out to be this profoundly perfumed. It is not a blockbuster, but is incredibly seductive, and so soft and silky. Last tasted 3/96