Château Cheval Blanc 2022

A fresh Saint-Émilion wine with a lovely complexity

The estate

Known throughout the world, Château Cheval Blanc is one of the legendary properties on the Right Bank of the Bordeaux region. Petit Cheval, the estate’s Second Wine, offers a superb introduction to the excellence of the great Cheval Blanc wine, with refined, powerful wines and a punchy and delicious, fruity palate.  With a new winery designed by Christian de Portzamparc, inaugurated in June 2011, Château Cheval Blanc continues its legend as one of the greatest wines of Bordeaux.

The vineyard

Château Cheval Blanc benefits from a unique and rare terroir of 39 hectares, of which 33.3 hectares are in production, enjoying a special position on the Saint-Émilion plateau. 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-calcareous formation with a varied texture, combining gravel and clay soils in roughly equal proportions. This particularity of the soils means that this property benefits from soils similar to those of the greatest wines of Pomerol.

The vintage

2022 was one of the driest vintages on the estate, as were the years 2005, 2011 and 2015. The budburst at the end of March preceded a mid-flowering recorded on 24 May. While hot and dry conditions advanced an early mid-ripening from 23 July for the Merlot, this also led to a reduction in yields and an early harvest.

Winemaking and ageing

Vinification by plot using selected indigenous yeasts. Gentle extraction followed by a long maceration with manual pumping over and a single délestage during the 4 weeks of vatting. Malolactic fermentation in vats. Aged for 16 months in barrels (100% new).

Blend

Merlot (53%)
Cabernet Franc (46%)
Cabernet Sauvignon (1%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Cheval Blanc 2022

Tasting

Nose
Expressive and complex, the nose delights with its freshness and intense floral fragrances.

Palate
This sunny vintage is reflected here by a full attack, preceding a palate with powerful and precise tannins harmoniously combining with a smooth and silky structure as well as a touch of rare freshness and balance.