1964 Château Cheval Blanc

Red Bordeaux Blend

sdr Likes this wine: 95 points

February 16, 2019 - 47CB and Friends (3030 Ocean, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida): A stunning bottle of ‘64 Cheval Blanc, but since it was recorked in 1996, it’s impossible to tell how much of its amazingly youthful exuberance might be due to topping up with a younger version. Of course it’s possible it was topped off with more ‘64, but impossible to tell. Once I put my skepticism aside, I enjoyed it immensely for its gorgeous plum and black cherry fruit and fabulous natural sweetness. Super fruity yet the structure is there to support it. Whatever they did in 1996, it worked. Still, I’d like to taste a non-recorked version to compare to it.

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MusignyBlanc commented:

2/20/19, 2:50 PM - When wines are properly recorked by the domain/chateau, they do not add younger wine. The standard practice is to "sacrifice" a wine of the same vintage to top-off the recorked wines.
sdr commented:

2/20/19, 4:07 PM - Replevin - the practice you describe is ideal and is, or was, exactly how they do it at Lafite. I do not know what they do at Cheval Blanc, or even if this bottle was recorked at Cheval Blanc. Consistent with previous bottles from the same lot, it seemed remarkably fresh, so I am unsure. In any case, it was terrific.
joshabramson commented:

11/11/20, 11:44 AM - We had the exact same experience last night with the 64'. I'm curious how you knew that your bottle was re-corked in 96? I bought my bottle at auction and was not told it was recorked. It was only because I was drinking it with a sommelier with a lot of experience with older Cheval Blanc that I became aware of this possibility, I would have simply thought it was an exceptionally delicious and fresh bottle if left to my own judgement.
sdr commented:

11/11/20, 7:36 PM - Hi josh, the only way I could tell was the inscription on the side of the cork. Obviously, you don’t know until you pull it. I think the added wine would presumably integrate after 20 years, though.
joshabramson commented:

11/11/20, 7:47 PM - Got it, thanks! The cork on this bottle was toast... couldn't see anything at all. I guess I'll never know!