2003 Château Cheval Blanc

Warm spring led to early flowering on Cheval Blanc's unique clay-gravel soils, while moderate summer temperatures allowed gradual ripening. The September harvest brought perfectly mature Cabernet Franc and Merlot under clear skies. The wine displays the estate's signature red fruits and spice notes, with remarkable balance between power and finesse.

Château Cheval Blanc 2003 Vintage Callout: Record August heat waves challenged vines across Bordeaux, but Cheval Blanc's deep clay-gravel soils provided crucial water reserves. The estate's high percentage of heat-resistant Cabernet Franc proved vital during the extreme summer conditions. The final wine balances power and grace, showing dark plums, violet, and Asian spice notes wrapped in sophisticated Saint-Émilion structure.

2004 was a year with temperatures and water stress usual for Bordeaux. The wine is very classic, with excellent freshness, aromatic precision, and silky tannin​.

This warm and dry year was particularly favourable to Merlot. While it May not have the extraordinary concentration of 2005, 2006 Cheval Blanc is a rich, powerful wine with ripe fruit aromas​.

2014 was mainly a rainy year until the end of August. The exceptional autumn weather allowed for optimal harvest timing. Each plot was picked at peak ripeness, ensuring the absence of any herbaceous notes in the final wine. Cabernet Franc grapes are very successful thanks to these hot and dry weather conditions​.

Château Cheval Blanc, the iconic Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A estate, produced a remarkable wine in 2016. The vintage began with a wet spring, but conditions improved dramatically with a warm, dry summer and autumn. This extended period of fine weather allowed for a leisurely harvest of perfectly ripened grapes. The resulting wine is praised for its depth, complexity, and exceptional balance between power and finesse.

April frost largely spared Cheval Blanc's core parcels, with its deep clay-gravel soils providing crucial temperature regulation for the estate's old-vine Cabernet Franc. Summer's moderate temperatures and precise September rain allowed for methodical plot-by-plot harvesting. The wine shows Cheval Blanc's signature violet and black cherry purity, with the vintage's natural concentration from lower yields.

The 2018 vintage from Château Cheval Blanc showcases the estate's ability to excel even in challenging years. The season began with heavy rainfall and mildew pressure, requiring vigilant vineyard management. However, a long, hot summer followed, leading to optimal ripening conditions. Careful selection during harvest ensured only the best fruit was used, resulting in a wine of great concentration, freshness, and aromatic complexity.

The estate's unique mix of gravel and clay soils across their forty-five distinct parcels provided perfect water regulation through the warm summer. Their position on Saint-Émilion's plateau captured cooling influences while Cabernet Franc thrived in the heat. The wine reveals profound violet and graphite notes, showing both the vintage's power and Cheval Blanc's signature refinement.

2020 extreme vintage: great summer drought and intense heat during the harvest. This wine perfectly reflect these climatic conditions, with an intense and ripe nose, and a powerful and dense tannic structure.

Château Cheval Blanc faced significant challenges in 2021 but managed to produce a wine that reflects the estate's unwavering commitment to quality. The vintage was marked by severe spring frosts, resulting in reduced yields, followed by a cool, wet summer that increased disease pressure. Meticulous vineyard work and strict selection during harvest were crucial in maintaining quality. The resulting wine, while perhaps less opulent than recent vintages, showcases finesse, bright acidity, and the classic Cheval Blanc elegance.