The History of Château Cheval Blanc
The history of Château Cheval Blanc dates back to the 19th century, when the estate was created from a collection of plots located at the border between Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. In 1832, Jean Laussac-Fourcaud gradually acquired these lands and merged them to create a unique estate. Cheval Blanc quickly gained a reputation for prestige and quality, distinguished by wines of exceptional finesse and depth.
The estate was awarded the distinction of Premier Grand Cru Classé A in 1954, one of the highest honors of the Saint-Émilion appellation. Since 1998, Château Cheval Blanc has been owned by the LVMH group, which continues to support the estate in its pursuit of excellence, respecting its rich heritage while investing in modern techniques. This blend of tradition and innovation has solidified Cheval Blanc’s position among the greatest wines of Bordeaux.
Viticulture and Winemaking : The Estate's Philosophy
The vineyard of Château Cheval Blanc covers 39 hectares, divided between gravelly and clay soils, a rare terroir that enables a unique combination of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This balance of grape varieties imparts a distinctive character to the wines, featuring an elegant tannic structure and a complex aromatic palette.
Viticulture at Cheval Blanc prioritizes sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Manual harvesting ensures meticulous grape selection, while vinification is carried out with extreme precision, with each parcel vinified separately to preserve the nuances of each terroir. Thanks to carefully integrated modern winemaking methods, Cheval Blanc honors its terroir while expressing the finesse and depth for which it is renowned.
The Wine of Château Cheval Blanc
The wines of Château Cheval Blanc are renowned for their elegance and aging potential. The combination of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, cultivated on exceptional soils, imparts a unique aromatic richness to the wines, with notes of red fruits, spices, and flowers. After several years of aging, these wines develop subtle aromas of undergrowth, truffle, and leather, offering unparalleled depth and complexity.
Château Cheval Blanc offers several signature cuvées, including the Grand Vin, Le Petit Cheval, Le Petit Cheval Blanc, its "younger sibling" Château Quinault l’Enclos, and in Argentina, Cheval des Andes.
