Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé A (First Growth)

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2018 Château Cheval Blanc

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$795.00

98+

The 2018 vintage saw a wet spring followed by a long, hot, and dry summer, allowing for optimal ripening conditions at harvest. This Cheval Blanc is characterized by its power and concentration, offering a rich bouquet of ripe black fruits, particularly blackberry and black cherry, intertwined with notes of violet, licorice, and subtle hints of truffle. On the palate, it presents exceptional depth and intensity, with firm yet ripe tannins and a remarkably long finish that balances the richness of the vintage with Cheval Blanc's signature freshness and elegance.

Size:

750ml

Variant

Vintage:

2004 2006 2010 2014 2018 2020 2021

6 Bottles

12 Bottles

Quantity:

In stock

Provenance Guaranteed

Cellared at 55°F & 70% Humidity

Key Wine Facts

Country of Origin: France
Region of Origin: Saint-Emilion
Varietals: 54% Merlot & 40% Cabernet Franc & 6% Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Red Wine
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Vinification: 16 to 18 months in 100% new oak barrels
Aging potential: 20 years +

Critic Reviews

98+

Robert Parker

The 2018 Château Cheval Blanc is a blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a 3.75 pH and 14.5% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs considerable swirling and air to releases fragrant notes of stewed plums, juicy black cherries and ripe blackberries with underlying suggestions of damp soil, black truffles, rose oil and cardamom with wafts of underbrush and iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate is densely packed with rich black fruits and loads of earthy accents, framed by super firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness to balance, finishing with amazing length and a beautiful array of floral and mineral sparks. Thirty-three plots contributed to this wine, out of the forty-three in production. Of the rest, five went into Petit Cheval and five into bulk. It will need a good 6-7 years at least to really start to strut its stuff and should cellar for a further 30 years or more.

Jeb Dunnuck

Showing beautifully from barrel and now from bottle, the 2018 Château Cheval Blanc is a final blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a pure, classic Cheval Blanc in that it relies more on complexity and elegance than power, offering a beautiful perfume of red and blackcurrants, spring flowers, spice, forest floor, incense, and tobacco. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Cheval Blanc offering wonderful purity of fruit, a seamless, layered texture, incredible tannins, and a lengthy, focused finish. It shows less of the sunny style of the vintage now than it did from barrel, and it's a wonderfully complete wine that delivers awesome freshness in its aromatics, plenty of ripe, sweet fruit, and the tannins and structure that seem to come from a long, cooler season. Reminding me slightly of the 2016, with a touch of the 2001, give this gorgeous wine 5-7 years of bottle age, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 2-3 decades.

Wine Enthusiast

The first thing that strikes about this wine is its massive density. The second is the richness of the structured Cabernet Franc that is such an important element in the blend. Weight is balanced by the intense fruits and amazing freshness of a wine that has such concentration. This wine will age for years. Don't touch it before 2027.

2018 Château Cheval Blanc

Size:

750ml

Vintage:

2004 2006 2010 2014 2018 2020 2021

$795.00

6 Bottles

12 Bottles

Premier Grand Cru Classé A (First Growth)

Château Cheval Blanc

Cheval Blanc stands out as the undisputed leader in Saint-Emilion. Its unique blend, dominated by Cabernet Franc, gives the wine a distinctive style and elegance that is highly sought after throughout the Right Bank. Although devoid of Cabernet Sauvignon, this Premier Grand Cru Classé A remains an exceptional aging wine that withstands the test of time, even decades, to ultimately offer us highly complex bouquets where moka mingles with truffle and raspberry. Since 1998, Château Cheval Blanc has been owned by Albert Frère and Bernard Arnault. It is managed by Pierre Lurton, an iconic figure in the Bordeaux wine region.

Estate

Region

Château Cheval Blanc is located in Saint-Émilion, a prestigious wine appellation on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. This region is renowned for its Merlot and Cabernet Franc-based wines, with Cheval Blanc being a notable exception due to its higher proportion of Cabernet Franc. The region is also known for its unique classification system, periodically reviewed to maintain high standards among its producers, with Cheval Blanc holding the coveted Premier Grand Cru Classé A status.

Terroir

Saint-Émilion's terroir is characterized by a varied landscape of limestone plateaus, clay-rich soils, and gravelly slopes. The area benefits from a temperate maritime climate, providing ideal conditions for viticulture. Saint-Émilion is distinguished by its picturesque medieval town, which, along with its vineyards, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

2004

Quintessential Bordeaux Classic

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.

2006

Merlot's Moment

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.

2010

Power Meets Precision

The 2010 vintage from Château Cheval Blanc exemplifies the estate's commitment to excellence in Saint-Émilion. The year presented challenges with a cool, damp start to the growing season, followed by a hot, dry summer. Careful canopy management and a perfectly timed harvest resulted in grapes with exceptional concentration and acidity. The wine is noted for its power, freshness, and remarkable aging potential.

2014

Late-Season Excellence

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.

2018

Concentration Conquers Challenges

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.

2020

Mastering Nature's Extremes

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.

2021

Classic Despite Challenges

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.

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We ship within the U.S. to most states, excluding AK, HI, MS, PA, and UT. Complimentary carrier insurance is included where available, with the option to add extra coverage through Route.com at checkout. Express shipping options are also available. Adult signature is required upon delivery. For more details, please refer to our full Shipping Policy.

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