Chateau Cheval Blanc
33330 St.-Emilion, France
Tel: 05 57 55 55 55 Fax: 05 57 55 55 50
www.chateau-cheval-blanc.com
Key Staff
Director, Pierre Lurton works with vineyard consultant Kees van Leeuwen
Oenologist: Pauquet/Dubourdieu
15 people involved - 13 in the vineyard, 2 in the cellar plus office staff.
Vineyard ownership:
Cheval Blanc changed hands in 1998, when Bernard Arnault (Chairman of LVMH) and Baron Albert Frere (also owns Chateau d’Yquem, Quinault L;Enclos and La Tour du Pin) bought it from the previous owners, the Fourcaud-Laussac family, who had run Cheval Blanc for 150 years. No expense has been spared to make it not only the greatest property on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, but one with the ambitions to be the greatest property in the entire region.
The history of the name:
According to tradition the chateau was built on an old inn which was named Cheval Blanc. The story behind the name is that Henry IV (1553-1610) once stayed at the inn, having ridden there on his famous white steed.
Location:
The Cheval Blanc estate borders on Pomerol. Together with Ausone, Cheval Blanc is one of St.-Emilion’s two legendary properties. Geographically it lies well away from the town of St.-Emilion and its famous limestone Cote. The 100 acre vineyard is borders on the stony plateau of Pomerol and takes on some of those qualities, it spans the gravel ridge which stretches to Chateau Figeac and also covers terrior typical to St. Emilion.
Climate:
The vineyards of Saint-Emilion are influenced by the Aquitaine oceanic climate. The fluctuations of temperature and rainfall are responsible for the variable character of the wine from vintage to vintage.
Soil:
The wide variety of soil types are one of the major characteristics of the Saint-Emilion wine growing. There are three separate soil types on the 36 ha property; one is classic Pomerol gravel; another is a gravel-clay mixture and the third is sand and clay. Cheval Blanc occupies one of Bordeaux’s finest terroirs.
Grape varieties:
There are 57% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot in the vineyards. Small parcels of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown. 5,000-6,000 vines per hectare in St.-Emilion. Planted 1.4 metres apart – tractor width. One hectare is pulled out every 3 years to maintain the average age of 40 years of the vine. There are vines up to 80 years old. The yield of Cabernet Franc is 35-40 hectolitres per hectare and for Merlot 45 hectolitres per hectare. 7 bunches per vine giving 1 kilo of grapes per vine. 1.3-1.4 kilos makes l litres of wine
Style of wine:
Type of soil and vine variety influence the quality and typicity of the wine. Cheval Blanc is never the biggest or meatiest red wine in Bordeaux but given time it draws silk garments out of invisible drawers; cashmere soft tannins, increasing in textural sensuality and softness. They have notes of blackcurrant, smoke, chocolate, raspberry, cherry and cream with the polished finesse of cedar and leather combines to a sweet sumptuous mouthful. The wines of Chateau Cheval Blanc are mythical in their ageing potential and can last for 50 years or more. They are opulent, luscious and full of finesse, elegantly structured, well layered complexity and due to their aging potential should be cellared correctly.
Quality classification.
Chateau Cheval Blanc
First Growth – Premier Grand Cru Classe A
The classification of St.-Emilion divides its chateaux in Premier Grand Crus Classes and Grand Crus Classes. Other St.-Emilions are described as Grand Cru. There are 13 Premier Grand Cru Classes headed by Cheval Blanc and Ausone in a separate superA-category of two. There are 55 Grand Crus Classes and Grand Crus run into 100s.
Vintages.
There are two legendary vintages of 1921 and 1947. The 1947 Cheval Blanc is featured in the Disney animate film Ratatouille. Robert Parker scored it a 100 points. 1961 scored 96 points.
1961 Chateau Cheval Blanc
Approximate current value over £1,000 a bottle.
96 points Wine Spectactor: “ …. Fantastic, a beautiful expression of this rich, ripe vintage, velvety with plum, prune and meaty flavours, balanced and long. It can hold for another decade – Cheval –Blanc vertical.” (03/99) Robert Parker writes, “A Possible Legend Candidate.” (10/94)
Chateau Cheval Blanc 1961
Premier Grand Cru Classe A
St. Emilion, Bordeaux
Appearance:
Opaque dark ruby/garnet with rust coloured edge.
Nose:
A big full blown bouquet of tobacco and earthy scents.
Palate:
Fruitcake, chocolate, leather, coffee with spices. Unctuous richness, sweet finish, profoundly complex, phenomenally concentrated.
The bottle of Chateau Cheval Blanc 1961, in the greetings card picture, was given to me by Jeremy, my husband, on 5th May 2006, for my birthday.
It was an extravagant gesture to celebrate 2005 being a challenging but good year and a triumph of success over adversity.
I fell in love with Chateau Cheval Blanc in July 2000. I had decided to treat myself to a millennium treat, which involved a week in Bordeaux with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust visiting and tasting many wines in different chateaux, followed by a week at Norwich cathedral on a Benedictine Experience week organized by The Friends of St. Benedict from Washington Cathedral.
On Thursday 6th July 2000 the day’s itinerary was:
9.00 Talk by Kees Van Leuwen from ENITA on how the type of soil and the vine variety influence the quality and typicity of wine.
10.30 Tasting of St. Emilion wines from different terroirs at the Maison de Vin in St.-Emilion.
12.15 Lunch in the garden of the Dominican Priory, St.-Emilion Syndicat Viticole.
Followed by a tasting at Maison du Vin Pomerol at 2.00 p.m. and Maisons for Vins de Fronsac tasting of 9 chateaux and 3 different vintages. Followed by free time in Bordeaux.
A truly memorable day tasting some excellent wines but the one which imprinted on my memory is:
1995 Ch. Cheval Blanc, Premier Grand Crus Classes A
60% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot
Appearance:
Bright clear garnet, ruby red, medium intensity with a hint of terracotta.
Nose:
Warm, opulently rich, ripe fruit aromas with complexity, soft perfume, roses, black cherries, raspberries, blackberries, exotic bouquet
Palate:
Good silky mouth feel, soft ripe lush fruit, rich, creamy, good length of finish, perfect balance. Complex, rich, medium to full bodied flavour with firm tannins in the finish. 100% new oak but not obvious in wine.
I swirled the wine around the glass, as the midday sun shone in through the windows from the square in St. Emilion and the church bells tolled midday for the Mass. The wine seemed alive and to be dancing with sunlight and blood red fruit colours. The smell was divine of rich ripe fruits and roses. The taste on the palate was complex, elegant and in perfect balance. This was a living wine. Tasting it in such beautiful surroundings filled me with a depth of the joy at the true meaning of wine. Creating something so good and special – a living, breathing fruit that will last and change with mythical ageing potential.
In July 2009, we decided to use the bottle of Chateau Cheval Blanc 1961 in a photographic shoot to create a greetings card.
Other items in the photograph were props but also symbolic as in a Dutch still life.
Fruit – grapes red and white, strawberries, raspberries, bilberries, cherries – all flavours and smells found in the wines of Bordeaux, but these fruits in their present state will perish. Roses and vine leaves and small berries of grapes, which look beautiful, but are transient.
The shell for the pilgrim’s journey through life. The gravel soil in the shell from Chateau Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion is also the dust to which we return
The Holy Bible which my father gave to me at Queenswood School when I was being confirmed and which was given to him when he was a school and has both are names in it. Rudyard Kipling’s book which belonged to my mother in law. The Keepsake Scripture Birthday Book which my grandfather was given in the 1880, with birthdays of his close family and friends and used by him during the First World War.
The Benedictine medal was given and blessed for me in Rome at the International Centre for the Benedictine Congregation at the College of Sant ‘Anselmo by the Abbot Primate of the Benedictine community worldwide in July 2006.
In July 2009, I asked my spiritual director, Fr. Andrew Hawes, to write a poem for the greeting card on the theme - John 15 The Vine and the Branches.
'You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.'
This is about love that lasts beyond death. A combination of the Waters of Love (The Wedding at Cana) and Many Waters (Song of Songs) also written by Fr. Andrew Hawes. A personal deep journey of being changed by the love of God, the gaze of contemplation that enables healing and to love others as God loves us.
Vintage Wine (Andrew Hawes 2009) is the result. Not exactly a little poem to fit on the back of a small greeting card. A poem of mystical depth and meaning like a good wine.