The Estate
Château Cheval Blanc, located in Saint-Émilion, is one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious estates. Its story began in the mid-19th century when Jean Laussac-Fourcaud brought together several parcels of land from Figeac and neighboring properties. Thanks to his vision and commitment to excellence, the estate quickly gained renown. By the late 19th century, Cheval Blanc had earned international acclaim, crowned in 1954 with the title of Premier Grand Cru Classé A, a distinction it retained until the 2022 revision of the classification.
The vineyard covers about 39 hectares at the border of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol — a unique position that defines the character of its wines. The soils are a rare mosaic of clay, gravel, and sand, ensuring perfect drainage and remarkable diversity. This combination gives rise to a wine of both elegance and depth, where Cabernet Franc, the estate’s signature grape, delivers finesse and freshness, complemented by Merlot for roundness and structure.
Today, Château Cheval Blanc is owned by LVMH (Bernard Arnault) and Albert Frère, two leading figures in the worlds of business and luxury. Under the technical direction of Pierre Lurton, the estate remains committed to an uncompromising pursuit of excellence: sustainable viticulture, parcel-by-parcel vinification, and meticulous attention to every detail. The winery, designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc, symbolizes this dialogue between tradition and innovation. Each vintage embodies balance, aromatic complexity, and freshness, securing Cheval Blanc’s place among the world’s true wine legends.
The Wine
The main principles of winemaking at Cheval Blanc are based on a fresh maturation of the grapes, pure parcel vinification, gentle extraction, long maceration, manual pump-overs, and a single racking during 4 weeks of fermentation. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tanks, and then the wines are aged in barrels.
Château Cheval Blanc 2011 is aged for 14 months in 100% new barrels.
Tasting
Deep purple-red color. First nose complex with floral notes of violets and peonies evolving into red fruit, raspberry, and black cherry. A vintage characterized by its brilliance, aromatic freshness, precision, and clarity. Generous attack with a full, rich, voluminous, voluptuous mid-palate and an endless finish.
Assured representative of the classic style of Cheval Blanc after several years of aging.
