Château Cheval Blanc
Château Cheval Blanc
The product of a unique terroir and exceptional savoir-faire, the Château Cheval Blanc's grand cru perpetuates the legend of one of the most prestigious Bordeaux wines, vintage after vintage.
Creation date: 1832
CEO: Pierre Lurton
Head office: Château Cheval Blanc, 33330 Saint-Émilion - France
Website: www.chateau-cheval-blanc.com
Identity
Château Cheval Blanc is first and foremost an exceptionally rich terroir featuring a patchwork of different soils. From its position between Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, in the heart of the Bordeaux vineyards, the estate has established its identity through the gravel and clay soils which are closely interwoven over the 45 parcels that make up the estate. Cabernet Franc and Merlot, two grape varieties that complement each other perfectly, grow in harmony throughout the 39 hectares of vineyard. The House’s savoir-faire, its ability to garner the terroir’s full potential, and its bold choices of grape varieties give Cheval Blanc wine all its freshness, elegance, power and finesse. They provide a unique character and a rare potential for aging: Cheval Blanc wines are excellent at any stage, but improve year after year. This cellaring potential and timeless style, which is recreated every year according to the assets of each vintage, have ensured the the supreme distinction of the 1er Grand Cru Classé A classification since 1954.
Icon
Undoubtedly one of the most famous vintages of the 20th century, Château Cheval Blanc 1947 is the result of exceptionnal weather conditions for vines in 1947 (perfect fine weather from April to October). It is a wine with extraordinary aromas that leave tasters speechless and an endless finish that is unparalleled.
Insights
” A combination of hard work, soil type, carefully selected grape varieties and an ideal climate, Cheval Blanc is a rare dream, a handcrafted treasure. In this world, where each detail is a step towards perfection, technology never dictates human behavior. Every day, we strive to improve and enhance the extraordinary qualities of this living heritage.”
Savoir-faire
Every year, through the subtle magic of blending, a new page is written in the story of Château Cheval Blanc. The creation of the vintage begins at the end of summer, when the grapes, picked at optimum ripeness, give life to as many wines as there are parcels. Each of them has a unique personality, and will be left for several months in new oak barrels, which preserve their character. At the start of spring, after several months of fermentation, the wines are tasted one by one. Only 15 to 35 of them will be selected to make the grand vin, and for this there is only one criterion: excellence. The painstaking process that is the art of blending involves deciding on the proportions of each wine that will go into making that year’s vintage. This vintage, the finesse, length and balance of which are exceptional, will then be left to age for a year in the barrel house. A reinterpretation of the Cheval Blanc legend.
Outlook
Since its creation, Château Cheval Blanc has been striving to preserve the identity, character and style of its grand crus. This identity is now defined by a strict ecological approach. The Château has recently been equipped with a new winery, in the heart of its vineyards. Designed by the architect Christian de Portzamparc, the winery under the hill is the first to be certified HQE in France. In November 2013, the building received the international Architecture Award from the Chicago Anthenaeum and the European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
Key figures
- 39 number of hectares on the estate
- 52% percentage of Cabernet Franc in Cheval Blanc wines
- 52 number of vats in the winery under the hill
Drink responsibly.