Chateau Cheval-Blanc
Cheval-Blanc’s reputation as a Grand Vin de Bordeaux rests principally on its sensational 1947 vintage, a wine of folklore and myth that is still invoked in contemporary literature and films. Its flagship status as a Premier Grand Cru Classé A (the suffix denoting the crème de la crème of Saint-Emilion wines) since the inception of the Official Classification in 1955 seemed unquestionable - that is until the estate’s sensational ‘withdrawal’ in 2021 (alongside Ausone and recently elevated Angélus).
The estate came into being in 1832, sired by Chateau Figeac whose then owner sold 15ha of land on a gravel ridge to the north-west of the Saint Emilion plateau to Monsieur Laussac-Fourcaud, whose family retained ownership until 1998. Medals garnered by vintages from the new property in international exhibitions in the 19th century adorn the bottle label to this day.
Today the vineyard comprises 37 hectares (planted) in a near contiguous plot, from which 56 individual sub-plots have been identified for vinification purposes. Unusually, the dominant red grape variety at Cheval-Blanc is Cabernet Franc (55%), with Merlot (40%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%). This varietal mix is almost unique in Bordeaux, certainly unsimilar to close neighbour Pétrus (Pomerol) which uses 95% Merlot, and differing from Figeac on its southern flank, where the vineyard is planted to equal thirds of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet franc. There are in addition small plantings of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, applied to a recently introduced white wine.
Today Cheval-Blanc is owned solely by the family of Bernard Arnault (chairman of LVMH) who in 2009 bought out the share of late Belgian magnate Albert Frère, co-owner since 1998. Arnault owns another Bordeaux icon, Chateau d’Yquem. Both are managed by the affable Pierre Lurton, a scion of Bordeaux’ Lurton dynasty and himself a chateau owner.
With the ample backing of its owners Cheval-Blanc has expanded the estate via the integration of the 11 hectare La Tour du Pin Figeac (2022), itself once part of Chateau Figeac; it has built a substantial and striking chais adjacent to the chateau buildings; and it has installed a new fermenting hall replete with ultra-modern vinification equipment.
Acknowledged great vintages in addition to 1947 include 1982, 1990, 1998, 2009, 2015 and 2020.
Annual production is around 100,000 bottles, two-thirds grand vin and one-third of the second label, Le Petit-Cheval. Since vintage 2014 around 12,000 bottles annually of the white wine, Le Petit-Cheval Blanc, are also made. There being no Saint-Emilion appelation for whites, this latter is labelled as Bordeaux Blanc.