Chateau Cheval Blanc 1985

WEINWISSER: 19 RENÈ GABRIEL´S BX TOTAL: "Ein aufhellendes Weinrot mit entsprechender Reife. Florales, leicht kühles Bouquet, fein rauchige Cabernet-Francnoten, Bakelit, Backpflaumen, wirkt zwar recht offen, aber gleichzeitig auch etwas reserviert. Im Gaumen saftig, eher leicht, elegant und wunderschön balanciert, langes Finale mit mittlerem Druck, zeigt da einen deutlichen Lakritzetouch. Max Gerstl: «Leider habe ich keine Flasche mehr davon. Der war jung schon so gut, dass wir ihn einfach immer wieder entkorkten und eine riesengrosse Freude daran hatten. Er hat sich aber über Jahrzehnte gehalten und er wird wohl, aufgrund dieser Flasche noch viele Jahre wunderschön sein.»"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 1985 Cheval Blanc has always been one of the most seductive of releases from the estate during that decade. Here it has that unmistakable highly perfumed bouquet with red berry fruit meddling with sandalwood, leather, briary and dried rose petals. It gains intensity in the glass, blossoms as the minutes go by. Perhaps here the fruit is more pure than the 1983 Cheval Blanc, more vivid. The palate is medium-bodied and perfectly balanced, underpinned by expressive Cabernet Franc that drives this along. I detect that it has lost a little of its flesh and corpulence on the finish, perhaps the first signs that it has just passed its peak? It remains a glorious, sensual Cheval Blanc, nonetheless - a consummate performer. Tasted March 2015." Drink: 2015 - 2040 - Neal Martin.

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: 95 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Truffle, tobacco, plum, flowers, cherry, earth and spice scents opened to a plush, opulent, sensuous, medium/full bodied, lush, sexy, Cheval Blanc that is drinking beautifully today."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Much darker than one might expect of a 1985 and on the nose quite strongly animal and liquorice-scented by now. Very soft and evolved. I wouldn´t hold on to it for too mch longer."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Beginning to show maturity. Spice and cedar aromas give way to a silky texture and flavors of tobacco and roasted fruits. Drink or hold.--Cheval-Blanc vertical."