2025 Château Cheval Blanc 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint-Emilion

EXCLUSIVE - EXPECTED SPRING 2028

Winery Château Cheval Blanc

Château Cheval Blanc belongs to the absolute elite of Bordeaux and is one of the most iconic wineries of Saint-Émilion. As a Premier Grand Cru Classé A, the château has been known for decades for a unique style in which finesse, aromatic complexity, and aging potential come together. What distinguishes Cheval Blanc is the exceptionally high use of Cabernet Franc, combined with Merlot on a terroir of gravel and clay. Under the leadership of Pierre-Olivier Clouet, the château continues to invest in precision and terroir expression, without compromising on quality. More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region, climate and location

Château Cheval Blanc is situated on the border of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, on an exceptional terroir of gravel and clay soils. It is precisely this combination that makes it possible to ripen both Merlot and Cabernet Franc at the highest level. The clay-rich plots retain moisture better during dry periods, while the gravel soils contribute to finesse and aromatic precision.

The 2025 vintage was strongly shaped by drought and extreme heat peaks. Despite a relatively cool average growing season, August saw temperatures of up to 41.6°C, the highest ever recorded at the estate. Nevertheless, the rain at the end of August proved crucial. That precipitation restored balance to the vineyard and ensured perfect phenolic ripening of the grapes. The result is a wine that remains surprisingly fresh, despite its extreme concentration.

Vineyards and grape varieties

The blend of Château Cheval Blanc 2025 consists of 51% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Notable is the very high proportion of Cabernet Franc, a grape that plays an important role in the tension, freshness, and linear structure of the wine in 2025.

Of the estate's 47 plots, 46 were included in the Grand Vin. Due to the extreme drought, the team led by Pierre-Olivier Clouet decided to subject a portion of the young vines on better-draining soils to extra strict selection, ensuring that only fruit of optimal ripeness was retained. As a result, the yield reached a historically low 15 hl/ha, with exceptionally small grapes and thick skins that ensured enormous concentration.

Harvest, vinification and aging

The harvest took place between September 1 and 18, remarkably early but under excellent conditions. Thanks to the dry summer, the health of the grapes remained exceptionally good, while the rain from August 20 ensured a perfect balance between ripeness, freshness, and tannin structure. Vinification was adapted to the character of the vintage. Maceration lasted longer than usual, between 26 and 32 days, to achieve maximum structure and precision. Due to the small grapes and low juice yield, the concentration was exceptionally high. Nevertheless, the alcohol content remained limited to just 12.7%, which is exceptionally low for a wine of this intensity.

Color, smell and taste

The 2025 Cheval Blanc opens immediately expressively, with a layered nose of blackcurrant, dark cherries, raspberries, and blueberries. Alongside these are notes of blood orange, violets, and iris, complemented by sage, mint, lavender, and subtle spiciness. In the glass, new aromas continually emerge, ranging from graphite and tobacco to a refined floral freshness.

On the palate, the wine immediately displays tremendous precision and energy. The texture is layered and intense, yet remains remarkably classic and refined. The tannins are ripe, refined, and seamlessly interwoven, while the fresh acidity gives the wine tension and length. The Cabernet Franc clearly drives the style and provides a vertical structure with great definition.

This is not a seductively exuberant Cheval Blanc in its youth. On the contrary. The wine feels intellectual, serious, and uncompromising. That is precisely where its great class lies. As the wine breathes, increasing tension, depth, and complexity emerge. The finish is exceptionally long, mineral, and refined, with violets, spices, and cool dark fruit that linger.

Robert Parker calls it "One of the great Cheval Blancs of the decade."

Development and drinking window

The 2025 Château Cheval Blanc requires patience. Although the wine already displays impressive precision and aromatic depth, bottle aging will be essential to reveal its full complexity.

Drinking windows range up to 2075. Antonio Galloni expects an exceptionally long evolution, while Neal Martin emphasizes that this is a wine that needs time to fully open up. The combination of low alcohol, fresh acidity, immense concentration, and refined tannins gives this wine exceptional aging potential.

Wine & Food Pairing and Discount

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. 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, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers. In the Food tab, you will find advice on what to look for for the right food and wine pairing, and a number of dish suggestions from our Sommelier.