Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau Lafleur wines at American Cut (Midtown), NYC, 4/30/2018.
Thanks to Leo who initiated this dinner for 10 people and provided a great opportunity for someone like me who don’t get to see, let alone drink, multiple bottles of both Cheval Blanc and Lafleur in one sitting. When I asked, Leo’s rationale in pitting these 2 properties with each other was 2-fold: a) high percentage of Cab Franc usage by both, and b) they are practically (adjacent) neighbors, in spite of each being in different communes.
Just a quick comment on our dinner - for our entrée, most had one form of steak or another, with appetizers ranging from Caesar Salad, Octopus, Bacon and Steak Tartare. It was probably good that the attendees’ attention were primarily and deservedly focused on the wines, rather than the average nature (my take) of the dishes that were served, although I recall that those who had the Steak Tartare were generally pleased with their appetizers.
Whites:
2015 Le Petit Cheval Bordeaux Blanc
A pleasing, medium-bodied, elegant young white Bordeaux. I googled that it’s 100% Sauvignon Blanc and is the 2nd vintage ever of this wine. Extremely dry, this was a refreshing mix of ripe lemon and hints of tropical fruit. Delicious long, finish. Impressive effort. A-
2015 Clai Jakoz Malvazia, Croatia
My first ever Croatian wine and so I hope Leo and Kreso would forgive, and correct me, if I misspelled the wine’s name as this was brought by Kreso to oblige a request for him to bring a sample white from his family’s winery. Very aromatic Malvasia-based wine with minerals, sweet white fruit at the forefront. Developed weight and intensity with time in glass. B
2015 Domaine Jamet Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc
A Northern Rhone CdR with the cooler-climate Northern fruit and mouthfeel. Nice components, with ripe white fruit and hints of nuttiness. B+
2011 Domaine Trimbach Riesling Grand Cru Geisberg
Another first for me, as when googled, I found that the first ever vintage of this wine was the 2009. Very Trimbach bouquet with petrol, floral and earth notes. The only Trimbach that I know of with the official “Grand Cru” status. With the slight softness, smoothness and deeper complexity, this is a step up over the already usually good CFEs. Dry with some lemon candy notes. A pleasure. A-
Reds:
1983 Ch. Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion
Herb and confection spices on the bouquet. High acidity, with ripe blue and black fruit. Still slightly angular, perhaps will round out with a bit more cellar years. No slouch, though. B+
1985 Ch. Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion
Smelled leather and ripe fruit. Suave and impressively complete, with plump fruit, herb and savory nuances. A-
1986 Ch. Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion
Can’t deny the 1986 traits in this wine, but of First Growth quality as the tight muscles, high acidity and the traces of tannin and youthfulness is still present. There’s a slight creaminess in the texture and some good chewy fruit. A-
1982 Ch. Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion
Oh boy. Alluring bouquet with fruit, leather and sweet confection. Ripe red and black fruit. Perfect acidity. Impeccable balance. A very, very long finish. A
1989 Ch. Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion
Herb and mint on the nose. Ripe and silky with some tannin presence that suggest a little more cellar time can likely do more good. B+
1998 Ch. Lafleur, Pomerol
A young Lafleur that is making a case for why Right Bank wines have made good, in this case very good, in 1998. The ripe fruit, good level of high acidity, and a medium-full silky body, actually makes this joy to drink even at this young age. This appears to be on its way to greatness given many more cellar years. A-
1999 Ch. Lafleur, Pomerol
Very sweet, perfumed bouquet. Tannic and a big opulent wine whose structure and component are pointing to a very positive future. B+
2000 Ch. Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion
I feel lucky to say I’ve tasted a 2000 CB, but owners of this very young, tannic wine will be luckier when the time arrives for this to show greatness in the future. There’s that herb/minty note that I like very much and which made me wonder if more cab franc was utilized. B++
2001 Ch. Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion
Very young and primary with tobacco and wood on the bouquet. Although some lush fruit showed, there also is semblance of elegance. Need cellar years. B+
2001 Ch. Lafleur, Pomerol
A appealing bouquet featuring fruit, tobacco and coffee. Again, after following a parade of wines fornm the 1980s this would also appear young. But the opulence with black fruit, graphite, fine tannin and high acidity clearly spells only good things when this matures. B+
2001 Ch. Hosanna, Pomerol
Leo brought this, undeclared, and so I missed posting the TN as my original TN list was based on the email exchanges within the group. Anyway, the Hosanna was much more open than either of the Lafleur and CB. Robustly fruited, oaked, some espresso. A friendlier drink, but not as intense/complex as CB or Lafleur. B
Edited: photo courtesy of Leo F. and added TN on 2001 Hosanna.