At the weekend I decided it was time. So I wandered along to Laithwaites and got myself a bottle to drink that night (fireworks party but I'd never finish a full bottle myself so why not share a little). The thing is I'd bought two of these before - one for my parents for christmas and one for a present for some very good friends of mine - I'd not got to taste it..
Chateau Cheval Blanc 2003.
Quite frankly it, even with it's issues, redefined my scale of St.Emillion and red wine - putting the normal bottles I drink quite firmly in their place (£20-40). I like those two regions and I must have had ~20 bottles.
I've had Pomerol that have been deeper but murky, I've had St.Emillions that have shown more juiciness/ripeness in their flavour but what blew me away was the clarity and the unbelievable silkiness.
I don't know what the 'better' vintages taste like but this gave all the tastes but so clear and subtly. To be honest this would have been over powered by strong foods in my opinon. Although I think it would have gone really well with a good set of cheese/crackers oddly enough.
For you coffee thread people the difference could be compared to the clarity between old beans and fresh roast.
So was it worth the money I hear you ask. Yes and no.
Yes - the experience, if felt as if I have learnt something in the way in which the taste is presented. Sure it's perhaps considered inferior in the boldness etc but it makes up by being so.. 'graceful' I think is the only word to describe it.
No - as always the experience comes at a price. No other bottle has shown that grace although they have shown exceptional flavours but seem one dimensional. It makes me wonder, deeply, just what a good vintage from this chateau is capable of..
Chateau Cheval Blanc 2003.
Quite frankly it, even with it's issues, redefined my scale of St.Emillion and red wine - putting the normal bottles I drink quite firmly in their place (£20-40). I like those two regions and I must have had ~20 bottles.
I've had Pomerol that have been deeper but murky, I've had St.Emillions that have shown more juiciness/ripeness in their flavour but what blew me away was the clarity and the unbelievable silkiness.
I don't know what the 'better' vintages taste like but this gave all the tastes but so clear and subtly. To be honest this would have been over powered by strong foods in my opinon. Although I think it would have gone really well with a good set of cheese/crackers oddly enough.
For you coffee thread people the difference could be compared to the clarity between old beans and fresh roast.
So was it worth the money I hear you ask. Yes and no.
Yes - the experience, if felt as if I have learnt something in the way in which the taste is presented. Sure it's perhaps considered inferior in the boldness etc but it makes up by being so.. 'graceful' I think is the only word to describe it.
No - as always the experience comes at a price. No other bottle has shown that grace although they have shown exceptional flavours but seem one dimensional. It makes me wonder, deeply, just what a good vintage from this chateau is capable of..
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![[DOD]Asprilla](/styles/overclockers/avatars/8.png){kind=avatar}
Don't know what you're doing drinking a 2003 now though! 
