| Classification | Premier Grand Cru Classe A |
| Type | Red |
| Producer | Chateau Cheval Blanc |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Country | France |
| Main region | Bordeaux |
| Region | Saint-Emilion |
| Grape | Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Bordeaux Blend |
| Alcohol % | 13.5% |
| Volume | 0,75 |
| Condition | From Original Wooden Case |
| Label | Perfect |
| Drinkable | 2027-2060 |
| Stock | 0 |
The 2018 growing season in Saint-Émilion took place in ideal conditions: warm, dry weather and plenty of rainfall at harvest. For Château Cheval Blanc, this meant that its unique sandy and gravelly terroir was on full display. The result? A wine that combines the domaine's characteristic elegance with impressive concentration. This vintage shows why the Château remains one of only four Premiers Grand Cru Classés "A" in the appellation: the 2018 combines immediacy with the potential for long aging.
The 2018 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.
The nose opens with black cherry and black currant, but there's more to it than that: a graphite minerality that speaks to the vineyard's unique iron-rich underbelly. Cabernet Franc, a characteristic of Château Cheval Blanc, provides aromatic lift and floral notes, while Merlot provides fullness of texture. In the mouth, fine-grained tannins suggest that this wine needs time. The finish has hints of cedar and tobacco, as well as Saint-Émilion's characteristic elegance. The fruit is concentrated and will not disappoint impatient collectors.
What makes Château Cheval Blanc unusual on the Right Bank is the high percentage of Cabernet Franc. The blend usually includes
But why use so much Cabernet Franc when most Saint-Emilion farmers rely on Merlot? The answer lies in Cheval Blanc's unique gravelly sandy soils, which are well-drained enough to ensure that the Cabernet Franc ripens reliably. The high percentage of Cabernet Franc gives the wine a complexity and structure not found in pure Merlot. This is one of the most characteristic approaches to blending in Bordeaux.
Best from 2026 to 2045; 2018 will age gracefully with tannin structure and concentration; store in the dark at 55-60°F. Expect the primary fruitiness to develop over time into the more complex notes of leather, truffle and forest floor that are the charm of a mature right bank Bordeaux.
Bernard Arnault and Baron Albert Frère have owned this 37-hectare estate since 1998 and have transformed it with a futuristic cellar completed in 2011. But the real story began in 1832, when Jean-Jacques Ducasse harvested the main vineyard. Today, Technical Director Pierre-Olivier Clouet manages the vines, which average more than 45 years old in the unique gravel and sand soils. Best of Wines has seen the estate consistently produce wines with extraordinary aging potential. This is why we believe Cheval Blanc is a must-have for serious Bordeaux collectors.
Cheval Blanc is situated on exceptional terroir for a Saint-Emilion. Rather than the limestone plateau that most right bank estates call home, it is the gravelly sandy soil typical of Pomerol. This well-drained soil structure is the reason why Cabernet Franc thrives here while it struggles elsewhere in the appellation. 8,000 vines per hectare planted at a density that avoids root competition and concentrates flavors. In addition, mature vines, 45 years old or more, dig deep into the soil in search of nutrients and water. The result is a powerful, weightless, refined tannin structure.
Cheval Blanc is aged for 15-18 months in French oak barrels, usually 50-80% new, depending on the strength of the vintage. Both stainless steel and concrete tanks are used to allow the grapes from different sites to develop their individual traits before blending. Gravel and sand soils drain quickly, allowing flavors to naturally concentrate. This means less intervention is required in the cellar. The average age of the vines is 45 years, giving the wine a complexity that younger vines lack.
This structure calls for richness. The combination of duck breast and cherry sauce is perfect: the fat softens the tannins and the fruitiness echoes the dark berry notes of the wine itself. However, game such as guinea fowl and pheasant should not be overlooked. The earthy minerality of the wine enhances the complexity of the meat. Mature Comté or aged Roquefort would go well with cheese. The acidity of the wine cuts through the richness and the depth matches the strength of the cheese; decant within an hour and serve at 16-18°C.
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