Château Cheval Blanc
Classification: First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Classé A)
Château Cheval Blanc (Castle of the White Horse) is the legendary First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Classé A). Along with Château Ausone, Cheval Blanc is Saint Emilion's only other First Growth.
Cheval Blanc lies in the farthest corner of Saint Emilion bordering Pomerol. Château Cheval Blanc came into being when land and vines were acquired from its neighbour Château Figeac by the Fourcaud Laussac family in 1832. Today Cheval Blanc is owned by Bernard Arnault (chairman of LVMH) and Albert Frère (also owners of Château d'Yquem) with Pierre Lurton as estate manager.
The 100 acre vineyard of Château Cheval Blanc is unusual in that it borders the stony plateau of Pomerol and takes on some 
of those qualities, it spans the gravel ridge which travels across to Château Figeac and also covers terroir typical of Saint Emilion. The grapes grown are also unusual as they are not the atypical Saint Emilion Merlot dominated vines. They are 57% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and small parcels of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wine Style
The wines of Château Cheval Blanc are mythical in their ageing potential and can last for 50 years or more. The wines are opulent, luscious and full of finesse. They are approachable whilst young and have notes of blackcurrant, smoke, raspberry, mocha, cherry and leather. The wines are elegantly structured, well layered and due to their ageing potential should be cellared correctly.
Owner: Bernard Arnault and Albert Frère (also own Château d'Yquem, Quinault L'Enclos and La Tour du Pin)
Château Website: www.chateau-cheval-blanc.com
Oenologist: Pauquet / Dubourdieu
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Cheval Blanc Cheval Blanc 2006Jancis Robinson 17+ points. Very good depth of crimson though pretty weak rim. Reticent nose though obviously more concentrated than the Petit... £3,850.00  Cheval Blanc 2006 (6 x 75cl)Jancis Robinson 17+ points. Very good depth of crimson though pretty weak rim. Reticent nose though obviously more concentrated than the Petit... £1,925.00 Cheval Blanc 2007Jancis Robinson 18- points. More complex than Petit Cheval and lovely freshness and minerality but the difference between Petit Cheval and Cheval... £3,325.00 Cheval Blanc 2008Robert Parker 95 - 97 points. "In time, the profound 2008 Cheval Blanc will rank alongside this estate's great successes of 2005, 2000, and... £4,000.00 Cheval Blanc 2006Jancis Robinson 17+ points. Very good depth of crimson though pretty weak rim. Reticent nose though obviously more concentrated than the Petit... £3,850.00 Cheval Blanc 2006 (6 x 75cl)Jancis Robinson 17+ points. Very good depth of crimson though pretty weak rim. Reticent nose though obviously more concentrated than the Petit... £1,925.00 Cheval Blanc 2007Jancis Robinson 18- points. More complex than Petit Cheval and lovely freshness and minerality but the difference between Petit Cheval and Cheval... £3,325.00 Cheval Blanc 2008Robert Parker 95 - 97 points. "In time, the profound 2008 Cheval Blanc will rank alongside this estate's great successes of 2005, 2000, and... £4,000.00 |