Situated on the edge of the Pomerol appellation, Château Cheval Blanc has been in the commune of Saint-Emilion for two centuries. It was established in the middle of the 19th century and since then, for over 150 years it has been run by only two families, joined by marriage. Since those origins so long ago and up to the present day, ownership passed hands only once: Bernard Arnault and Baron Albert Frère purchased this prestigious estate in 1998.
Fine wine connoisseurs and old friends, they are steadfast in their desire to uphold and to nurture the unique wine born here. The management of Cheval Blanc is based on continuity; all of the characteristics of this legendary Bordeaux have been preserved over time – its terroir, grape varieties and style – whilst its qualities continue to refine and define themselves.
The 39 hectares of vineyards are a generous inheritance with their three soil types composed of clay, gravel and sandy clay which, together, form a rich mosaic. Added to this natural resource are the unique plantings of grape varieties which are very unusual for the Right Bank. Since its beginning, Château Cheval Blanc has been planted with more than half Cabernet Franc (55%), Merlot (40%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%).
Each of the 53 plots on the property has its own characteristics according to age, size, soil type and grape varietal. Every plot is unique and produces specific traits: powerful wines with velvet, smooth tannins on the clay, aromatic complexity and chiselled tannins on the gravel.
Each plot is vinified separately in order to preserve its individual expression in a winery completed in 2011 which was designed by Christian de Portzamparc for that very purpose. Once blended, the wines of Cheval Blanc are both powerful and elegant with a fresh, precise and complex nose.
Designated a Premier Grand Cru Classé « A » right from the start of the 1954 Saint-Emilion classification, it has become one of the most identifiable wines in the world; its charm, alchemy and elegance incarnate the refinement and unparalleled quality of French culture. Unaffected by fashions and trends, this exceptional wine continues in its quest for quality and precision.
