Château Cheval Blanc 1967

Château Cheval Blanc 1967 is a fascinating contemporary document from the heart of Saint-Émilion. In contrast to the often austere and tannic wines of the left bank (such as the previously discussed Lafite Rothschild), Cheval Blanc stands for richness, silkiness and a high proportion of Cabernet Franc. The 1967 vintage in Bordeaux was a solid, but not outstanding vintage, which tended to produce early-ripening, elegant wines. Today, almost six decades later, this wine presents itself as a rare but extremely fragile rarity, the enjoyment of which is like a game of chance.

This report summarises the available information and evaluations of this legendary wine.

Overview and characteristics

Château Cheval Blanc 1967 is a red wine from the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation in Bordeaux. Until its voluntary withdrawal in 2021, the winery held the Premier Grand Cru Classé 'A' rating, the highest honour in the region . Cheval Blanc is characterised by its unique grape composition, which is stated to be around 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot for the 1967 vintage . This dominance of Cabernet Franc (in contrast to the Merlot-heavy Pomerol) gives the wine its typical aromatic finesse and smoky, spicy note . The estate's current 39.5 hectares are planted with around 55% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon .

The wine's ratings are rare, as is to be expected with such an old growth, and reflect the progressive ageing process.

• Point scores: The aggregated score on Tastingbook is 89 points, calculated from various professional reviews .

• Price trend:A bottle from this vintage with a "high shoulder" level (an acceptable level for this age) retails for around 195 to 235 euros. This is significantly cheaper than the Lafite vintages of the same era and reflects the estate's less prestigious but equally legendary status.

Flavour profiles: From "soft luxury" to volatile old man

The descriptions of Château Cheval Blanc 1967 paint a picture of a wine that has already passed its peak and is in an advanced stage of decline. The condition of the individual bottle is the absolutely decisive factor here.

• The perspective of the late 2010s: Still enjoyable, but at the end
  A tasting note from March 2019describes the wine as "much better than the previous bottle", albeit with a finish that is "not worth mentioning". The texture is described as "soft, semi-opulent" and a pleasure to drink. The nose was earthy and tobacco heavy, but maintained interest. The conclusion: "For a birthday or anniversary, this remains a reasonable but fading choice" .

• The sobering reality: well past its zenith
  Just three years earlier, in April 2016, the judgement of the same source was far less gracious. The wine had been past its peak for at least a decade. It was described as "more rustic and brighter than fresh and silky" - and that was still a kind description. The damning judgement: "There's not much left. If you have a bottle, drink it" . The vintage description on Tastingbookconfirms this impression: "Today, the wine is past its peak. It has a subtle elegance, beautiful delicacy, a pleasantly sweet nose and a hint of cocoa in the background" .

• General flavour notes
  Typical ageing aromas are mentioned regardless of condition: The colour is described as brick red. On the nose and palate there are notes of pepper, coffee, leather, red fruits, almonds, mint chocolate, menthol and eucalyptus . The tannins are medium, the acidity is average and the wine is balanced overall, but dry .

Historical context and significance

The 1967 vintage falls into an era in which Cheval Blanc was still managed by the Fourcaud-Laussac family before it was sold to Bernard Arnault and Albert Frère in 1998 . The famous manager Jacques Hébrard, who later became known for the legendary 1982 vintage and a dispute with Robert Parker, only took over the management in 1970 .

The 1967 vintage itself is crucial for understanding the wine: after a hot July with 27 days without rain, devastating rainfall in September dashed hopes of a great year . The result was a rather light, elegant wine that was never designed for decades of ageing. The fact that it has survived to this day is a tribute to the exceptional quality of Cheval Blanc's terroir. The estate is known for its ability to create wines of rare "grace, alchemy and elegance" that can be "good at any time" .

Summary of the ratings

The following table compares the impressions and objective data on the wine:

Conclusion

Château Cheval Blanc 1967is an instructive example of the transience of even the greatest wines. In contrast to the Lafite 1970, which is often still structurally impressive, the Cheval Blanc 1967 is a wine that has definitely seen its best days. It was born in a vintage that promised elegance rather than longevity and has now, half a century later, reached the end of its life cycle.

Anyone lucky enough to own a bottle should do so with great care and respect for history, but with extremely low expectations of enjoyment. A bottle with impeccable provenance and perfect level may still reveal a hint of Cheval Blanc's famous "silky" texture and complexity - a last, fleeting echo of its past greatness. The vast majority of bottles, however, will be little more than a rustic, acidic and faded reminder of a great name. It is less a wine to drink and more a venerable museum piece for the passionate collector who values history and myth more than flavour in a glass. Compared to the Lafites of the same era, it is more moderately priced, but the risk of a disappointing bottle is probably the highest here.