Château Cheval Blanc 2012

An alluringly rich and elegant fine Saint-Emilion wine

The estate

Known throughout the world, the Grand Cru Classé A Château Cheval Blanc is one of the legendary Saint-Emilion estates of the right bank of the Bordeaux region. The property's Second Wine, Petit Cheval, offers a superb introduction to the excellence of Cheval Blanc: a refined, powerful wine, with punchy and delicious fruit on the palate. With a new winery designed by Christian de Portzamparc and inaugurated in June 2011, Château Cheval Blanc continues to be an important part of the legend of the finest Bordeaux wines.

The vineyard

Château Cheval Blanc boasts a unique and rare terroir and enjoys a special position on the Saint-Émilion plateau. While the appellation of Saint-Emilion is known for its limestone formations, Château Cheval Blanc is situated on Quaternary alluvium soils of Isle, a non-limestone formation with a varied texture, combining gravel and clay soils in roughly equal proportions. This unique soils is quite similar to those of the greatest estates of Pomerol.

The vintage

The year 2012 was marked by a significant contrast between a particularly rainy spring and early summer and a very dry end-of-season. While April was wet and cool, May and June were very mild despite heavy rainfall until July 15th. These conditions led to the uneven budburst and flowering phases as well as a noticeable mildew pressure. Between July 15th and September 20th, only 30 millimetres of rain were recorded compared to the usual 120 mm. The months of September and October were punctuated by several rainy episodes. The grapes were perfectly healthy throughout the harvest.

Vinfication and ageing

Aged for 18 months exclusively in new oak barrels.

The blend

Merlot 53%.

Cabernet franc 45%.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2%.

Château Cheval Blanc 2012: Characteristics and tasting tips

 This fine Saint-Emilion wine, is alluring due to its complexity as well as its great aromatic precision.