x
  • Country ranking ?

    1 410
  • Producer ranking ?

    72
  • Decanting time

    1h
  • When to drink

    Now
  • Food Pairing

    Beef

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

Close

The Story

Whether by design or by pure chance, there are in the world exceptional places. Cheval Blanc is one of these. Combining a unique soil with a symbiotic mix of grape varieties, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, Cheval Blanc produces a wine, which has the rare quality of being good at any age. It is without doubt one of the most consistent wines in the world. Cheval Blanc's unique identity is due to its varied soils, early-ripening microclimate, the percentage of Cabernet Franc in the vineyard, and the close proximity of the finest wines of Pomerol.

Château Cheval Blanc has the rare ability to be good at whatever age. It is enjoyable young or as much as a century old in certain vintages. However, a great wine only reveals its full potential and all its subtle nuances after several years in bottle. It takes time to show its true colours and before reaching its peak. Every vintage of Cheval Blanc is made according to the traditional philosophy that great wine needs to age.
It should nevertheless be said that wines with ageing potential go through several periods, and that each one has its own type of attractiveness. This is all part of Château Cheval Blanc's fascinating complexity. Three different bottles of Cheval Blanc from the same vintage drunk at five, twenty, and forty years of age will each show a different facet of the same wine, variations on the same lovely theme. A bottle of fine wine meant to age is like a library of flavours that develop throughout its existence.
Wine is a "cultural" beverage that is very much alive and develops countless nuances over time. That is why this long waiting period needs to be respected. It is crucial to the wine's evolution, so that it can deliver its very best.

Close

Wine Information

Château Cheval Blanc

Whether by design or by pure chance, there are in the world exceptional places. Cheval Blanc is one of these. Combining a unique soil with a symbiotic mix of grape varieties, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, Cheval Blanc produces a wine, which has the rare quality of being good at any age. It is without doubt one of the most consistent wines in the world.
In the 18th century a large area of the current estate of Cheval Blanc was covered in vines. It is said that on the place where the Blanc-painted building now stands, there used to be a modest post house where horses could be changed. It appears that the legendary King Henry IV once stopped there on his way from Paris to Pau, his birthplace, when he wanted to change his tired horses, traditionally always Blanc, to new ones. He was well known of his habit of riding with only Blanc horses, and this blessed, tiny post house was the only place on St. Emilion that had those noble creatures. After that the inn, which saved the King, was naturally called Cheval Blanc – white horse.
One century later the estate was bought by the Fourcaud-Laussac family, the beginning of a time of slow renovation, with the acquisition in 1871 of adjacent plots giving the vineyard its definitive layout , drainage, and planting of the Cabernet Franc variety. From this time the wine of Cheval Blanc achieved a level of success, which was rewarded with the top prizes in London (1862), Paris (1878) and Antwerp (1885). This fine reputation grew steadily throughout the 20th century under the ownership of the Fourcaud-Laussac family. In 1998, the estate was sold to Mr Bernard Arnault and Baron Albert Frère .
Cheval Blanc's unique identity is due to its varied soils, early-ripening microclimate, the percentage of Cabernet Franc in the vineyard, and the close proximity of the finest wines of Pomerol.

Soil: three main types of soil – gravel with clay subsoil, deep gravel, sand with clay subsoil
Production area: 37 ha
Grape varieties: Cabernet Franc 58%, Merlot 42%
Average age of vines: 40 years, the oldest are 80 years (1920)
Harvest method: by hand, with sorting on reception in the cellar
Winemaking: 4 pumpings of 15 mins per day during the alcoholic fermentation. Vat sizes corresponding to plots in vineyard, ranging from 50 to 120 hectolitres. Separate vinifications according to soil, age of vines and grape variety.
Ageing: in 100% new oak barrels for 14 to 18 months, depending on the power of the vintage


Château Cheval Blanc
33330 Saint-Emilion
www.chateau-cheval-blanc.com
contact@chateau-chevalblanc.com

Close

Tasting note

color

Light

ending

Medium and Spicy

flavors

Tobacco and Herbs

recommend

Yes

taste

Low in Acidity, Complex, Unbalanced, Multi-dimensional, Vigor and Sweet

Verdict

Outstanding

Written Notes

These two Belgian bottled Cheval Blancs were in a quite poor condition. No capsule and the levels were low-shoulder fill, but the price was also very low and worth a try. Very light, dark old looking colour. Tobacco like, spicy, slightly herbal and a bit oxidized nose. Sweet on the palate. Old but still energetic. A bit acidic and green, but quite complex. Controversial; I liked it, most did not. Flavourful on entry, but drying out at finish. For me a rare and unique experience.
  • 88p
Load more notes

Information

Origin

St. Emilion, Bordeaux
Incorrect Information
If you found some information that is wrong, let us know
Are you sure you want do delete this wine? All information will be lost.
Are you sure you want to recommend this wine?
Are you sure you want hide this written note ?
Are you sure you want show this written note ?
UPGRADE MEMBER PLAN
Upgrade your membership now, it's quick and easy. We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards. Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal. You can cancel your membership at any time.
Thank you for your support!
 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

 

HOW TO USE TASTINGBOOK?

We recommend you to share few minutes for watching the following video instructions of how to use the Tastingbook. This can provide you a comprehensive understanding of all the features you can find from this unique service platform.

This video will help you get started



Taste wines with the Tastingbook


Create Your wine cellar on 'My Wines'



Explore Your tasted wines library



Administrate Your wine world in Your Profile



Type a message ...
Register to Tastingbook
Sign up now, it's quick and easy.
We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards.
Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal, where you can sign up for a free 7-day trial period. You can cancel your membership at any time. We wish you a rewarding journey to the world of Fine Wines.

Free 7 days Member trial

 

Member

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

  Register