2023 Château Cheval Blanc 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint-Emilion

Along with Château Pétrus and Ausone, Château Cheval Blanc is one of the legends of the Right Bank. It always possesses enormous concentration, yet simultaneously finesse and freshness. This cru is owned by the Belgian Albert Frère and Bernard Arnault. It is Pierre Lurton (from the Dominique Lurton branch) who vinifies the wine there (just as at Château d'Yquem). This year, vinification took place for the fifth time in the ultra-modern new cellars designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc. 50 specially shaped (trunk-conical) concrete vats are responsible for micro-vinification per plot. Concrete was chosen because it provides good thermal insulation, and a trunk-conical shape because it ensures a gentler extraction of the grapes for better fermentation. Furthermore, everything is vinified using the principle of gravity (meaning the wine or grapes are no longer pumped upwards). A gigantic investment in the service of quality!

One of the most impressive wines of the year is the 2023 Cheval Blanc, a striking wine that excels through its strong identity and seamless integration already at an early stage of its life. Rising from the glass with notes of mulberries, lilacs, dark fruits, iris root, and violets, it is medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, with a gastronomic core of cool, vibrant fruit that completely masks the sweet structuring tannins, concluding with a long, fragrant finish. It is a blend of 52% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, composed of no less than 46 blocks that make up Cheval Blanc, and it has reached an alcohol content of 13.8%.

Ratings: 98-99 James Suckling, 98-99 Alexandre Ma, 98-100 Wine Advocate, 98 Jean-Marc Quarin, 98 Jane Anson, 98 Markus del Monego, 97-99 The Wine Independent (L. Perrotti-Brown), 97 Decanter, 97 Falstaff Magazine, 96-98 Jeb Dunnuck, 96-98 Vinous (N. Martin), 95-98 Vinous (A. Galloni)

FUN FACT: In the 'Attachments' tab, you will find the official factsheet for this fine wine and a number of beautiful photos. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, almost next to the A16, with ample parking. Click here for our address.