Château Cheval Blanc 2021

Château Cheval Blanc presents a Saint-Émilion wine of great aromatic freshness and perfect balance

The estate

Known worldwide, Château Cheval Blanc, 1st Grand Cru Classé A, is one of the legendary estates of the right bank wines of the Bordeaux region. The second wine of the estate, Petit Cheval, offers a superb introduction to the excellence of the grand wine Cheval Blanc, with refined, powerful wines, on a palate with striking and indulgent fruit. With a new cellar designed by Christian de Portzamparc and inaugurated in June 2011, Château Cheval Blanc continues to write the legend of the greatest wines of Bordeaux.

The vineyard

Château Cheval Blanc benefits from a unique and rare terroir composed of 39 hectares that enjoy a particular position on the plateau of Saint-Émilion. While the Saint-Émilion appellation is known for its limestone formations, Château Cheval Blanc is located on the Quaternary alluvium of the Isle, a non-limestone formation with varied texture, combining gravel and clay soils in roughly equal proportions. This particularity of the soils means that this estate benefits from soils similar to those of the greatest wines of Pomerol.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage is characterised by its rainfall and temperatures within the seasonal norms. However, the months of May and June recorded a much higher number of precipitations than usual. The summer alternated between sun and a few notable rain episodes. From mid-August, dry weather set in and lasted until the harvest. This allowed the grapes to complete a slow and heterogeneous maturation process while offering a beautiful concentration to the fruits.

Vinification and ageing

After the harvest between September 22 and October 14, more than 65 days after veraison for some plots, the berries are transported to the cellar. The haute-couture vinification of Château Cheval Blanc is based on a fresh maturation of the grapes as well as a pure parcel vinification with the use of indigenous yeasts and gentle extraction. Maceration is long and pump-overs are carried out manually. Only one racking is carried out during the 4 weeks of vatting. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vats before ageing is carried out in new barrels. This lasts 16 months.

Blend

Cabernet franc (52%), merlot (43%) and cabernet sauvignon (5%).

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Cheval Blanc 2021

Tasting

Colour
Château Cheval Blanc 2021 presents a colour of a dark red both intense and deep.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet offers the harmony of ripe red fruits, wild berries, blackberry and blackcurrant. The scents of violet, spices and discreet wood add a lot of subtlety to the whole.

Palate
Château Cheval Blanc 2021 opens with a tasty and powerful attack to then give way to exquisite suppleness and roundness. The tannins are round and marked. The aromatic persistence of this wine is impressive and anchors in the memory the memory of a remarkable freshness.