About Chateau Cheval Blanc Winery and Vineyard

 Location: Situated in the farthest corner of St. Emilion, bordering into Pomerol. (Appellation Saint Emilion Controlée)

Classification: Premier Grand Cru Classe

Grape Variety: 66% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 1% Malbec. Average age of vines is 39 years.

History: One of the rare properties to never have changed hands, the vineyard has been the property of the Fourcaud-Laussac for over 150 years. 15 hectares of land sold by Figeac to Monsieur Ducasse in 1832, and a further 15 hectares acquired in 1837 constituted the future Cheval Blanc. In 1854 Mademoiselle Ducasse married Monsieur Fourcaud-Laussac. On this occasion 5 hectares were added to the domaine which henceforth sold the wine under the name of Chateau Cheval blanc. Since this time, the heirs of Fourcaud-Laussac have run the domaine.

Vinification and aging: Fermented in lined concrete vats and aged in new oak barrels for 20 months. The wine is clarified with egg whites and until 1979 was never filtered.

Style: Dark ruby in color, an opulently rich and fruity wine, full bodied, voluptuous and lush. Deceptively easy to drink when young.

1995 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion Grand Cru

Tasting notes for 1995 Cheval-Blanc

- Deep, dark colour with mauve highlights

- Rich, warm nose. Fruity (cherry and blackcurrant). Shows beautiful ripeness. Spicy with a touch of new oak.

- Huge concentration on the palate. This is a rich, fleshy, massive wine. Perfect balance on all counts with a beautiful finish and soft tannin.

1989 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion Grand Cru

Tasting notes for 1989 Cheval-Blanc

- Beautiful, deep colour just starting to show its age with shades of brick-red on the rim.

- The bouquet is starting to open up with good concentration and hints of fruit compote, blackcurrant and prune. A touch of spice, black pepper and moss.

- Beautiful structure on the palate with lots of stuffing, freshness and tannin that is still unyielding at this point. Flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant and fruit marinated in spirits, plus a slightly musky note which should increase with age. A very attractive wine

1990 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion Grand Cru

Tasting notes for 1990 Cheval-Blanc

- Deep, dark, intense colour showing a touch of age.

- The bouquet is remarkably concentrated and complex. There are hints of overripeness (candied fruit) and roasted almond and cocoa. There is a creamy quality, with a touch of caramel and vanilla, as well as a spicy side, with black pepper. Manages to be both powerful and elegant.

- On the palate, 1990 Cheval-Blanc is beautifully rich, with round, velvety tannin. It is quite flavoursome : toast, coffee and caramel and a pinch of liquorice at the end. The aftertaste is warm and exceptionally long. Still young, but already irresistible. An unqualified success.