Château Cheval Blanc
Château Cheval Blanc

Château Cheval Blanc

Château Cheval Blanc is a wine estate located in the commune of Saint-Emilion, on the border of the Pomerol appellation. The Château was a Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the official classification of Saint-Emilion classified growths until 2022, when the château decided to withdraw from the classification on its own. Cheval Blanc is one of the most consistent estates in the world, with the ability to be excellent at any age. The estate produces the "Grand vin de Cheval blanc" in red as well as a second wine "Le petit Cheval" in both red and white. Since 1998, Bernard Arnault and Albert Frère have been the owners, with the desire to revitalize Château Cheval Blanc "with respect for its history and heritage, and with total confidence in the existing teams."

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The history of Château Cheval Blanc

 

In 1832, Jean Pierre Ducasse, president of the court of first instance in Libourne, bought a 16-hectare farm located on the Figeac estate from the Countess of Gères. He undertook major works there, built a château, and decided to separate from the Figeac appellation by naming his estate Château Cheval Blanc. In 1838, he bought 2 new plots from the Countess for an area of 16 hectares. In 1852, Jean Laussac Fourcaud married Charlotte Louise Henriette Ducasse and received the Château Figeac estate as a dowry. Under his direction, the vineyard prospered, and new plots were acquired, bringing the total area to about 41 hectares.

 

The estate survived the phylloxera crisis and in 1926, Jacques Fourcaud-Laussac took over the management of the property. In 1943, Gaston Vaissière was hired as cellar master and the estate produced a legendary vintage in 1947. Changes were made to the vinification process, and the estate was classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé A in 1955.

 

In 1970, Jacques Hébrard became the director of the estate, succeeding Jacques Fourcaud-Laussac. Renovation and expansion work on the cellars was undertaken in 1974. In 1989, Jacques Hébrard retired and the management of the estate was taken over by Brigitte Hamelle, Martine d'Arfeuille, and Claude de la Barre. Pierre Lurton, manager of Clos Fourtet, became the estate's director. In 1998, the estate was then purchased by Albert Frère, a Belgian businessman associated with Bernard Arnault. In 2011, a new cellar designed by Christian de Portzamparc was inaugurated. It has 54 temperature-controlled concrete vats containing 20 to 110 hectoliters, corresponding to the 54 plots of the estate.

 

In 2012, the estate was included in the sixth official classification of the AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru in the category: Premier Grand Cru Classé. However, in 2022, the estate did not appear in the list of the 7th classification of Saint-Emilion classified growths due to its refusal to participate.

 

What are the characteristics of Château Cheval Blanc wines

 

The grape varieties of the château consist of 52% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Château Cheval Blanc has the particularity of having a heterogeneous soil composition, made up of gravel and clay, which are mixed across the 45 plots of its estate.

 

The aging process takes place for 18 to 22 months in 100% new oak barrels.

 

Unlike other wines from the Saint-Émilion appellation, the majority grape variety is Cabernet Franc, which brings suppleness, fruitiness, and acidity. Powerful, without aggressiveness, spherical, silky, always elegant and refined in its Cabernet Franc core surrounded by Merlot, the grand vin of Cheval Blanc is closer to a Pomerol, without quite resembling a Saint-Émilion.

 

What are the other wines of Château Cheval Blanc?

 

Since 1988, Château Cheval Blanc has been producing a second wine called "Petit Cheval". It is made with the same expertise as the grand vin but from younger vines. The aging process lasts 10 to 12 months in oak barrels, of which 50% are new.

 

The best vintages of Château Cheval Blanc

 

The best vintages of Château Cheval Blanc are as follows: Cheval Blanc 1921, 1945, 1950, 1953, 1959, 1961, 1985, 1998 and 2000.

 

To these, we should add the 3 vintages that received a 100% Parker score: Cheval Blanc 1947, 2005, and 2010.

 

Food and wine pairings

 

The wines of the château pair very well with all types of red meat, game, dishes with sauce, and also fish dishes that include an element tied to the earth (potatoes, mushrooms, etc.). For cheeses, opt for strong cow's milk cheeses (Munster, Maroilles, aged Mimolette). Finally, for desserts, the choice should be chocolate or coffee-based desserts.

 

Château's website

 

https://www.sodivin.fr/

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