

1947 is considered a miraculous vintage, the greatest Cheval Blanc of the 20th century. It is both very powerful and extremely well-balanced. Due to its high percentage of alcohol, combined with some residual sugar, many tasters consider this wine totally extraordinary and unique in the world of wine. Despite its age, it is in spectacular form and utterly fascinating.


1947 is considered a miraculous vintage, the greatest Cheval Blanc of the 20th century. It is both very powerful and extremely well-balanced. Due to its high percentage of alcohol, combined with some residual sugar, many tasters consider this wine totally extraordinary and unique in the world of wine. Despite its age, it is in spectacular form and utterly fascinating.
Cycle de la vigne
WEATHER AND GROWING SEASON
The 1947 vintage was abnormally hot and dry, which accounted for very concentrated grapes. The harvest began on the 15th of September, i.e. two weeks before the usual date.
Begin | end | |
1947 harvest dates | September, 15th | October, 4th |
Average harvest dates: 1946-2014 | September, 24th | October, 8th |
Particularité du millésime
Maturité des raisins et rendement
YIELDS AND CELLAR WORK
1947 Yields (hl/ha) | Average yield: 1946 to 2014 | |
37.4 | 33,9 |
Vinification et élevage
The overall level of alcohol was 14.4°. Since the beginning of the 20th century, only the 1929 vintage had produced riper grapes (14°6 potential alcohol).
The sweet juice combined with hot weather during the harvest made fermentation difficult, even calling for bringing huge blocks of ice in from Bordeaux every day in order to cool down the cellar.
The wine is not perfectly dry (there are 3 g/l of residual sugar) and the level of volatile acidity is rather high. However, these two factors actually help support the structure and enhance the aromas. That is because the wine’s natural richness does not make them seem like defects. It can even be said that this great wine is something of an accident. During this post-war period, the estate did not have access to new barrels, so ones five to ten years old, were used.
La dégustation


Le nez de ce vin de légende est marqué par l’alcool. Incroyablement riche et kirschée, la palette aromatique de ce vin se compose de pâtisserie, de macaron, d’amande, de figue, de noyau de cerise, d’orange. Les arômes d’orgeat et de fruits macérés à l’eau-de-vie évoquent la confiture de vieux garçon. Surtout, la confiture de fraise domine ce nez d’une complexité rare et sublime.
En bouche, le vin semble épais et l’alcool se fait sentir. Gras et dense, c’est un vin plein, riche et complet. Il semble madérisé, sur des arômes de tourte aux pruneaux, mais avec une pointe de fraîcheur qui se traduit par des arômes de figues fraîches, mais également par des arômes floraux intenses de glycine et de fleur blanche comme l’acacia. Après aération, le café, le moka et le cacao se font sentir, ainsi que le miel d’acacia. Sa longueur est interminable et reste d’une perception très intense.
1947 est tout simplement considéré comme le plus grand Cheval Blanc du XXème siècle.
Généreux et riches, ses arômes extraordinaires épuisent le vocabulaire de la dégustation par leur complexité. Souvent comparé à un porto vintage, il est puissant, avec des arômes de fruits confits, de pâte de coing, de moka, d’épices et d’un peu de poivre en raison de sa teneur en alcool, mais aussi de chocolat et de café. Les tannins sont moelleux et d’une suavité sans équivalent. La finale est un feu d’artifice interminable, sans aucune sécheresse.
Un vin fascinant : absolument hors norme et sans commune mesure dans le monde des vins.