Chateau Cheval Blanc
From LoveToKnow Wine
Cheval Blanc Flavor
Depending upon the vintage of the wine was produced, the flavor of this still red wine can have a full-body, rich mouth-feel, powerful, yet never overpowering, with subtle blackberries, cherries, toasted nuts, vanilla and a savory cocoa finish. Drinking this wine in its youth is accessible to one's palette, although after ten years, even fifty years of waiting, the unique flavor of Cheval Blanc erupts beautifully through the glass.
Money
Before the wine is released a bottle of Cheval Blanc can sell for the same price of a monthly car payment and at restaurants throughout the world, a bottle can cost the price of a car. At recent auctions a case has been sold for well over four thousand dollars.
Cold Facts
Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon
Within the blend of Cheval Blanc, the wine has the largest percentage of Cabernet Franc, then Merlot with tiny amounts of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged in all new oak barrels prior to bottling.
Cheval Blanc Vineyard
The vineyard of Cheval Blanc is located in North-West, Saint Emilion, close to Pomerol in the right bank of Bordeaux.
The soil is a gravelly terrain called "Graves," give this wine it's graceful ability to mature with time. Within the vineyard's top-soil exists a deep impenetrable rock called, "Molasse." The Molasse aids the vineyard with proper water drainage throughout the growing season.
Pierre Lurton, oversees the estate of Cheval Blanc, also manages Chateau d'Yquem, considered to be the greatest sweet wine in all of Bordeaux.
Originally the Vineyards of Cheval Blanc were part of the Figeac and became independant property in 1838, yet Cheval Blanc was still sold under the Figeaac label through the middle of the 19th century.
Grand Cru Class A
In 1954, the Saint Emilion classification took place and only two properties were selected as Grand Cru Class A; Cheval Blanc and Ausone. Cheval Blanc has a quality that separates itself from every other vineyard throughout the entire region of Bordeaux. Currently eighty-one Chateaux's are classified in Saint Emilion and Cheval Blanc sits comfortably at the top. Each year only between eight and nine thousand cases of Cheval Blanc are produced for the entire planet to sample. A little over three thousand cases of the second wine called "Le Petit Cheval" are produced as well.
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