In the 2004 film Sideways, we witness one of cinema’s most unlikely wine moments. Instead of a hushed, candlelit dining room, struggling novelist Miles Raymond opens his treasured 1961 Château Cheval Blanc at a cramped burger joint, sloshing it into a Styrofoam cup. A Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend, it was an intriguing choice given Raymond’s outspoken disdain for Merlot earlier in the film. Perhaps sacrilege to wine etiquette, it’s an honest toast to life’s uneven edges. The scene even sparked discussions among curious viewers, with wine forums lighting up over the elusive vintage in the weeks following the film’s release.
The film’s fast-food detour makes for great cinema, but real life paints a different picture with white marble and fine glassware—like the recent wine-pairing dinner at GoldBar KL, hosted by LamboCellar and Carole André, cellar master at Château Cheval Blanc. His Excellency Axel Cruau, Ambassador of France to Malaysia, was also in attendance to share the evening with fellow wine connoisseurs. Part of LVMH’s Vins d’Exception portfolio, the Saint-Émilion winery was brought closer to Malaysia by André, who guided diners through an enlightening masterclass of the estate’s finest vintages.
The dinner’s opening dishes—premium Hanwoo beef skewers and truffle mushroom vol-au-vent—found a bright, lifted companion in the 2018 Le Petit Cheval. First released in 1988, it has been recognised as one of the ‘second wines’ within the Club of Nine (a select group of Bordeaux estates that produce highly regarded second wines). Since then, its consistent quality has brought its own merits independently, with its ruby-red youth and aromas of cherry, cocoa, caramel, and tobacco.
While the first pour offered immediate appeal, the 2020 Cheval des Andes impressed with its deep, velvety red fruits, peppery spice, and full-bodied structure that felt pleasant on the palate with each sip. Known as the Grand Cru of the Andes, this wine represents a cultural fusion between Château Cheval Blanc’s winemaking tradition and Mendoza, Argentina’s high-altitude vineyards. Here, under challenging climatic conditions, malbec, cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot come together in a distinctive blend at the foot of the Andes mountains. This diverse complexity was paired with a creamy linguine dish with roasted garlic foam and crisped chicken skin, alongside smoked foie gras mousse on brioche crisp.
Meanwhile, the splendid A5 Wagyu tenderloin found its counterpart in the 2018 Château Cheval Blanc, which presented a deep, intense red colour, boasting floral and fruity aromas of raspberry, violet, blackberries, and blackcurrant, alongside balsamic and spicy hints. Marked by high mildew pressure, this 2018 vintage is a blended result of merlot, cabernet franc, and cabernet sauvignon—blanketing the palate with an all-embracing intensity, followed by a crisp, long finish.
To crown the evening, the 2011 Château Cheval Blanc was paired alongside a decadent Valrhona dark chocolate marquise. A classic vintage, it was aged 14 months in 100 per cent new barrels, nurtured under dry yet moderate weather during the growing season—revealing a deep crimson colour with a complex bouquet of violets, peonies, raspberry, and black cherry.
For a taste of these exceptional vintages, visit LamboCellar’s official website.
