Chateau Cheval Blanc, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1986

Cheval Blanc, on Saint-Émilion's border with Pomerol, farms about 39.5 ha split into some 55 parcels, planted mainly to Cabernet Franc and Merlot plus a little Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each parcel is fermented in its own vat; tasting alone decides which plots enter the grand vin, so the Cabernet Franc–Merlot balance shifts each year. The wine then ages 16–18 months in barrels renewed every vintage, of Tronçais and Bercé oak. The estate prizes grace and elegance. Le Petit Cheval, from at most a quarter of the crop, is suppler and opens sooner. Le Petit Cheval Blanc is a Sauvignon Blanc–Sémillon white from an adjoining 8 ha bought in 2006.

Appellation

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Owner

LVMH (with the Frère family since 1998)

Vineyards

39.5 ha in about 55 parcels of gravel, clay and sand

Grapes

Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon; Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon for the white

Wines

Château Cheval Blanc; Le Petit Cheval; Le Petit Cheval Blanc

Style

Cabernet Franc–led, elegant Saint-Émilion aged 16–18 months in barrels renewed yearly

Website

https://www.chateau-cheval-blanc.com

Sources: chateau-cheval-blanc.com, Wikipedia