Château Cheval Blanc 1999

Characteristics and tasting notes for Château Cheval Blanc 1999

Tasting notes

Appearance
The colour reveals a deep hue with a dark core, subtly nuanced by light brick reflections that bear witness to its evolution.

Nose
Highly concentrated, the bouquet opens with explosive aromas of very ripe black fruits, dominated by blackcurrant cream. It gains complexity with notes of orange chocolate, violet, liquorice and toasted almond, all underscored by hints of undergrowth, fruit brandy and a harmonious, refreshingly integrated oak.

Palate
Rich, flavourful and velvety, the palate is already highly expressive. It unfolds with an abundance of fruit and subtle notes of cedar, stretching elegantly towards a beautifully long finish.

Food and wine pairings
This great wine pairs wonderfully with roasted red meats, characterful poultry or game dishes with delicate sauces. It also goes very well with pressed, cooked-curd cheeses. The estate recommends avoiding pairings with eggs, tomatoes, country-style ham as well as citrus fruits such as lemon or orange.

Serving and cellaring
To fully enjoy this vintage, serving between 15 and 17°C is ideal. Given its evolution, gentle aeration is recommended, avoiding overly brutal decanting. This wine has reached maturity and offers an optimal drinking window extending to around 2022, although it can already be enjoyed by lovers of older vintages.

A great Saint-Émilion wine combining charm and aromatic complexity

The estate
Located in the prestigious Bordeaux region, Château Cheval Blanc is a true icon. The independent history and creation of this exceptional estate date back to the first half of the 19th century. Today, it belongs to Bernard Arnault, who has been its sole owner since 2009, with Pierre Lurton as President and Pierre-Olivier Clouet as Managing Director. The estate stands out for its strong commitment to agroecology and its unique terroir on the border of Pomerol, producing wines of rare elegance.

The vineyard
Located on the border of Pomerol, the Saint-Émilion vineyard covers around forty hectares divided into some fifty individual plots. It rests on a complex mosaic of soils, combining clay, gravel and sand. The estate practises viticulture on living soils, with a strong focus on agroecology and agroforestry. Thousands of trees have been planted at the heart of the vines, and a permanent plant cover is maintained. In winter, controlled grazing by sheep helps with natural fertilisation and biodiversity on the site.

The vintage
The year 1999 was marked by warm weather conditions, leading to an early growing cycle. Summer rainfall, close to seasonal norms and well distributed, helped avoid any major water stress for the vines. September proved warm and moderately rainy. Véraison began early, around 1 August for the Merlot and 9 August for the Cabernet Franc. Ripening progressed quickly with excellent uniformity. Harvesting took place under excellent sanitary conditions, yielding small berries with a high phenolic concentration.

Winemaking and aging
The winemaking process relies on meticulous plot-by-plot selection. The wine then benefits from careful aging, which gives it a perfectly integrated and harmonious oak, respecting the vibrancy of the fruit and the great finesse of its structure.

Grape varieties
59% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Franc