Château Cheval Blanc 1968

Introduction: The Château Cheval Blanc winery

Château Cheval Blanc is one of the most prestigious wine estates in the world and is located in the Saint-Émilion wine-growing region of Bordeaux, France. The estate was one of only four estates to achieve the highest rank of "Premier Grand Cru Classé A" in the Saint-Émilion classification.

The estate comprises 39 hectares of vineyards, which lie on an unusual mixture of gravel, clay and sand. This so-called mosaic soil structure gives the wine its characteristic depth and balance. The planting consists of around 60% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and small proportions of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The exceptional 1968 vintage

1968 was a difficult wine year for Bordeaux. An exceptionally warm spring in March and April with almost summer-like temperatures was followed by heavy hail, while extreme rainfall in August hampered the ripening phase. In Bordeaux, "the sun shone extremely rarely" and August was exceptionally wet.

Despite the generally poor quality of the vintage, some top vineyards, including Château Latour, still managed to produce noteworthy wines. It is particularly noteworthy that the 1968 vintage was a very good one in Italy, especially in Barolo and Brunello. For lovers of Bordeaux wines and collectors looking for a vintage for a personal occasion (anniversary year), the few surviving bottles from 1968 are therefore real rarities that may be available at surprise prices.

The wine miracle - tasting notes

The few surviving bottles of Château Cheval Blanc 1968 are a deep, intense ruby red colour. The nose reveals complex aromas:

• Earthy and spicy notes: Tea, hay, tobacco, cedar wood, earthy undertones

• Fruit flavours: dried red fruit, especially raspberry, but also blackcurrant

• Floral notes: Violets and other floral aromas

On the palate, the wine is characterised by strong, ripe tannins. It offers a harmonious balance between fruit, acidity and tannins with an elegant, long finish. However, it does not have the same density, depth and length as other vintages of Château Cheval Blanc and is somewhat simpler in flavour.

Conclusion

Château Cheval Blanc 1968 is proof of the exceptional quality of this top grand cru vineyard under the most difficult growing conditions. Despite a generally weak Bordeaux vintage, it produced remarkable wines that are still surprisingly well preserved today.

Before buying, you should pay attention to the state of preservation: For wines of this age, a good fill level (preferably above the mid-shoulder area) and an intact capsule are crucial to ensure an authentic flavour experience.