Château Cheval Blanc 2020

Château Cheval Blanc produces a delicate Saint-Émilion wine with a rich aromatic palette

The estate

Known all over the world, the Grand Cru Classé A Château Cheval Blanc is one of the legendary winemaking 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 Bordeaux’s greatest wines.

The vineyard

Cheval Blanc boasts a unique and rare terroir and 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 beginning of 2020 saw dry conditions, encouraging the vines to bud prematurely. The month of March began with significant rainfall before experiencing a very balmy period, inciting a quick start to the growth. The heavy pressure from mildew at the beginning of the crop cycle was gradually counteracted by the hot and dry weather conditions. While the months of April, May and June were mild and rainy, the summer conditions were extremely dry with very high temperatures, causing a significant water stress. A rainy spell during the week of 15 August was beneficial for the vines. 2020 remains one of the warmest years recorded since 1994. The harvest was even and of a high quality.

Blend

This Château Cheval Blanc 2020 is made of a blend of Merlot (65%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (5%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Cheval Blanc 2020

Tasting

Nose
Château Cheval Blanc 2020 perfectly reflects the extreme climate conditions, through its intense and ripe nose as well as its powerful and dense tannic framework. This great wine unveils a rich aromatic palette that mingles, with a delicate freshness, the scents of black fruit, scrub and pepper.

Palate
Opulent and warm, the attack makes way for a powerful palate with fine and structured tannins conferring exceptional length and richness. The palate is wonderfully enduring, and tightens towards a lingering yet delicate finish.