Château Cheval Blanc

As early as the 15th century, we find traces of the existence of Château Cheval Blanc in texts. A century later, the château was sold for the sum of 1,400 pounds. At the dawn of the French Revolution, two winegrowers resided in Cheval Blanc.

History :

When Jean Jacques Ducasse bought it in 1832, the prestigious career of Château Cheval Blanc began. Over the next 20 years, the purchase of plots of Château Figeac allowed me to build the estate. The 39-hectare plot is almost identical today.

It is thanks to the union of Henriette Ducasse (daughter of the owner) with Jean Laussac Foucaud that the château will experience a real rise in quality. A wine merchant in Libourne, Mr Foucaud undertakes the drastic modernization of the estate. He sets up a network of walled and covered drains, understanding the importance of water constraints to produce more beautiful wines.

His most significant work concerns the vines: in the mid-1860s, he replanted part of the property. He chose half Merlot and the other half Cabernet Franc. The choice was atypical, the plantation ended in 1871. In 1872, the old wine of Figeac was marketed for the first time under the name Cheval Blanc.

Rewards and achievement

In 1862, Cheval Blanc won his first medal at the Universal Exhibition in London. In 1878, he won his first gold medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris. Finally, in 1886, he won his second gold medal at the Universal Exhibition in Antwerp.

In 1954, during the first classification of Saint Emilion wines, Cheval Blanc obtained the supreme distinction: the classification of Premier Grand Cru Classé A. The château took its place in the prestigious and coveted “club of 9” which brings together the best of the best of Bordeaux.

The château has been producing a second wine, the “petit cheval”, since 1988. It is made with the same expertise as the Grand Vin but from younger vines.

In 2012, the estate was included in the sixth official classification of the AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru in the category: Premier Grand Cru Classé, however in 2022, the estate does not appear in the list of the 7th classification of the Saint-Emilion classified growths following its refusal to participate.

Food and wine

The Château’s wines go very well with red meat, game, dishes in sauce and also fish. For cheeses, they will be strong cow’s milk cheeses. As for desserts, chocolate or coffee.

The best vintages of the Château

The best vintages of the Château are: 1921, 1945, 1950, 1953, 1959, 1961, 1985, 1998 and 2000.