Château Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1995

Une nouvelle année sous le signe de la chaleur, où l’on enregistra une température moyenne de 1,4°C supérieure à la normale. Faisant suite à un printemps doux et sec, une chaleur caniculaire s’abattit sur les mois de juillet et août, atteignant même des records de température inégalés depuis 45 ans. La pluviosité pendant l’été fut moyennement faible à Cheval Blanc. Septembre débuta sous une pluie froide, mais les précipitations cessèrent avant la dernière décade du mois pour laisser place à une météo plus clémente tout au long du mois d’octobre. Ces conditions climatiques remarquables provoquèrent une fois de plus un cycle de la vigne précoce. Le débourrement eut lieu autour du 27 mars, la mi-floraison le 1er juin, la véraison le 4 août pour le Merlot et le 12 pour le Cabernet franc. Grâce à une pluviosité modérée mais régulière pendant l’été, la vigne ne souffrit nullement d’un excès de sécheresse. D’un état sanitaire parfait, les baies arrivées au cuvier avaient la concentration parfaite des grandes années chaudes et sèches : riches en sucre et en composés phénoliques, pauvres en acides. Le degré naturel du Merlot dépassait largement 13°, celui du Cabernet franc était à peine d’un demi-degré plus bas. Le volume de la récolte fut légèrement supérieur à la moyenne.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

par Thomas Matthews le 31/03/1999

Elegantly structured and packed with flavor, this shows fragrant cherry and toasty aromas with ripe cherry and spicy flavors. It's beautifully balanced and already delicious.--Cheval-Blanc vertical. –

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/09/1998

This Cheval Blanc (a 50% Merlot/50% Cabernet Franc blend in 1995) is dark ruby/purple-colored with an opaque middle. It exhibits a sexy, penetrating fragrance of chocolate, vanilla, black plummy fruit, minerals, and exotic fruits (coconuts). Fatter and richer than it was last spring, this layered, opulently-textured, medium-bodied wine possesses gorgeous reserves of fruit, glycerin, and extract. Its low acidity, moderate tannin, and wonderful purity suggests an outstanding example of Cheval Blanc. While it will not rival the 1990 or 1982, the 1995 is significantly better than the 1989 and 1988. Anticipated maturity: 1999-2018. Last tasted 11/97

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1998

A pretty, attractive Cheval Blanc, the 1995 contains a higher percentage of Merlot in the final blend than usual (50% Merlot/50% Cabernet Franc). This wine has not developed as much fat or weight as its younger sibling, the 1996, but it appears to be an outstanding Cheval Blanc with an enthralling smoky, black currant, coffee, and exotic bouquet. Complex, rich, medium to full-bodied flavors are well-endowed and pure, with surprisingly firm tannin in the finish. Unlike the sweeter, riper 1996, the 1995 may be more structured and potentially longer-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2020.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1997

The 1995 Cheval Blanc was performing exceptionally well several months before its scheduled bottling. The wine is dark ruby/purple-colored with an opaque middle. It exhibits a sexy, penetrating fragrance of chocolate, vanilla, black plummy fruit, minerals, and exotic fruits (coconuts). Fatter and richer than it was last spring, this layered, opulently-textured, medium-bodied wine possesses gorgeous reserves of fruit, glycerin, and extract. Its low acidity, moderate tannin, and wonderful purity suggests an outstanding example of Cheval Blanc. While it will not rival the 1990 or 1982, the 1995 is significantly better than the 1989 and 1988. Anticipated maturity: 1999-2018.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/1996

In a year when many people were pleased with Cabernet Franc (Cheval Blanc's blend always contains at least two-thirds Cabernet Franc), the 1995 possesses a dark ruby color with purple nuances. The big, sweet aromatics include jammy red and blackcurrant, spice, and vanillin scents. With a creamy texture, low acidity, medium body, and excellent concentration, drinking this wine is akin to eating candy given its lush, silky texture and heady finish. If it puts on some weight and gains more depth it will turn out better than the 1989 and 1988, but let no one suggest this is remotely reminiscent of the great 1990. It will require 3-4 years of cellaring, and will keep for 15-16 years.