Does anyone know what the proportions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc were in the 1961 Cheval Blanc?
Isn’t it 49 percent merlot and 51 percent cabernet franc?
yur bottle is fakez - does nut maddre
From The Wine Cellar Insider:
The vineyard cepage of Cheval Blanc is 58% Cabernet Franc and 42% Merlot. Blends vary, depending on the style of the vintage. The vines are old, averaging 45 years of age. However, some of the older parcles of Cabernet Franc are close to 100 years of age! They are planted to a vine density of 8,000 vines per hectare. In 2012, following the 2012 St. Emilion Classification, A 1.3 hectare portion of the Chateau La Tour du Pin vineyards were added to Cheval Blanc. Vinification takes place in 52 different temperature controlled, cement vats that vary in size, due to the needs of specific parcels. The wines are aged in 100% new oak for close to 18 months before bottling.
I’m writing a tech sheet for a merlot, and using Miles’ Sideways “I ain’t drinking no F*@!ing merlot” quote and irony that he was hoarding the 1961 cheval blanc as a segue to explain that Merlot went through a survival of the fittest effect, and all the plonk vineyards are gone. It really improved the quality of merlot in the long run, but the joke continues because the reverse happened to Pinot… with all the plantings that have occured in poor locations… Think about it. Now only good merlot is left, but people are planting pinot everywhere, including where it should not be planted.
Though I have no useful information for you, Peter, and though it doesn’t address your thesis, there was another irony to Miles’ stated wine dislikes and his prized 61 Cheval Blanc. When Miles and Jack first meet Stephanie in her tasting room, one of the wines she pours them is a Cabernet Franc. Miles tastes it, quickly dumps it, and says something close to, “I’ve learned never to expect greatness from cab franc, and this is no exception.” So, no merlot and no great cab franc, yet…
I missed that. Great. Together with the anti-merlot theme, this adds a new dimension of irony to the movie.
Parker’s Bordeaux, published 1985, says 66% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 1% Malbec.
Wikipedia, citing thewinedoctor.com, says 57% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot, and “small parcels” of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Perhaps the plantings have changed over the years…