Château Cheval Blanc 2012

A seductive Saint-Émilion grand wine of richness and elegance

The estate

Known worldwide, Château Cheval Blanc, 1er Grand Cru Classé A, is one of the legendary estates of Saint-Émilion wines, on the right bank 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 wines that are refined, powerful, and have a palate of striking and delicious 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, enjoying 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 a 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 year 2012 is marked by a significant contrast between a particularly rainy spring and early summer and a very dry end of the season. If April is wet and cool, May and June are very mild despite heavy rainfall until July 15. These conditions lead to uneven budding and flowering as well as significant mildew pressure. Between July 15 and September 20, only 30 millimeters of rain are recorded against more than 120 mm usually. The months of September and October are punctuated by a few rainy episodes. The health status is ideal throughout the harvest.

Vinification and aging

Aging for 18 months exclusively in new oak barrels.

Blend

Merlot (53%)
Cabernet franc (45%)
Cabernet sauvignon (2%).

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Cheval Blanc 2012

Tasting

This grand wine from Saint-Émilion, seduces with its complexity as well as its great aromatic precision.