Château Cheval Blanc sits on the Saint-Émilion–Pomerol border and has long been one of Bordeaux’s defining estates. Founded in the mid-19th century and owned since 1998 by Bernard Arnault and (the late) Albert Frère, it is managed by Pierre Lurton. Historically ranked Premier Grand Cru Classé “A” in Saint-Émilion, Cheval Blanc chose to withdraw from the 2022 classification, a decision that didn’t change its standing among collectors: it remains one of the most sought-after wines in the world.
The vineyard (c. 39 hectares) is a patchwork of gravel over clay and sandy clay, unusually well-suited to Cabernet Franc—the grape that gives Cheval Blanc its perfume, lift and lattice-fine tannins—supported by Merlot and a small share of Cabernet Sauvignon. Parcels are small and vinified separately to preserve nuance; the estate is famous for its plot-by-plot mindset, treating each block according to soil, exposure and vine age rather than imposing a single recipe. The result is a wine that marries Right-Bank grace to Left-Bank structure: aromatic complexity, freshness and a long, refined finish.
Winemaking is precise and restrained. Hand-picked fruit is sorted fast and fermented by individual lot (often in concrete to protect purity), with gentle extraction to keep tannins silky. Élevage in French oak is tailored to the season—new barrels are a means, not a message—so oak reads as texture and length rather than flavour. The striking gravity-flow winery designed by Christian de Portzamparc underpins that philosophy: clarity first, polish in support.
Cheval Blanc’s flagship is the grand vin, built for decades in bottle and renowned for notes of violet, graphite, dark cherry and cool, herbal lift that evolve into cedar, tobacco and truffle with age. Le Petit Cheval is the second wine (red), offering earlier approachability in the same, finely detailed idiom. The estate also produces Le Petit Cheval Blanc, a limited white from dedicated plots, showing a saline, citrus-driven profile shaped by meticulous, small-lot work—proof that the house’s parcel discipline translates across colours as well as crus.
Cellaring is part of the promise: recent grand-vin vintages typically hit first drinking windows from 8–10 years and can cruise for 20–30+ in strong seasons; Le Petit Cheval shines earlier, over 5–12 years. Serve at 16–18 °C in large Bordeaux stems and decant young bottles to unfurl the mid-palate. For anyone searching “Cheval Blanc Saint-Émilion” with an eye to style: think Cabernet-Franc-led perfume, pristine balance, and longevity—an elegant benchmark that has defined its category for more than a century.
