Château Cheval Blanc St-Emilion 2022 - 1er Grand Cru Classé A

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

With apple trees growing among the vines, along with chickens, sheep, and a few pigs, Cheval Blanc embraces a sustainable approach to agriculture. These are all assets for the 39 hectares of this legendary estate, which occupies a prime location on the appellation’s sandy-gravel plateau—slightly clayier on its northern slope, toward Pomerol. Cheval Blanc stands out from its neighbors thanks to its legendary longevity, which stems from the high percentage of Cabernet Franc. Pierre Lurton, its director since 1991 (he also serves as president of Château d’Yquem), and his talented teams demonstrate both rigor and ingenuity in perpetuating its inimitable style. The 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages are superb.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

With unparalleled depth and balance, the 2022 Cheval Blanc is the epitome of elegance. Composed of 53% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Franc, and a touch (1%) of Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a truly great wine in a class of its own. The color is dense, intense, and delicately lustrous. Cherry, red currant, blueberry, violet, mint, exotic spices, and a mineral hint of graphite—the nose is a palette of aromas of admirable precision. This precision carries over into a full-bodied, dense, concentrated, yet almost light, luscious, and airy palate, as the texture appears silky, delicate, with masterful freshness, and supported by tannins of absolute finesse. The finish, at once soft and lively, long and expansive, marks a vibrant wine of exquisite refinement. 2030–2050

About the estate:

Originally a simple farmstead in Figeac, Cheval Blanc became an independent estate in 1832 when Jean-Jacques Ducasse, president of the Libourne court, purchased it and had the current château built. His descendants undertook major improvements, particularly drainage work, and by the end of the Second Empire, the estate had reached its current size (37 ha) and was ranked among the most renowned in Saint-Émilion. Its Pomerol-style terroir—featuring ancient gravel and sand over clay—explains the uniqueness of its vineyard composition, which is dominated by Cabernet Franc and complemented by Merlot. The descendants of President Ducasse remained at the helm of the estate until its acquisition in 1998 by Bernard Arnault (LVMH) and Albert Frère. They appointed Pierre Lurton as general manager and provided the château with a new winery, designed by Christian de Portzamparc.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Against a backdrop of intensified competition among the First Growths, and following a period of neglect (through 2005), the return of the estate owned by businessmen Albert Frère and Bernard Arnaud to the Saint-Émilion elite has been nothing short of spectacular. A new chapter is unfolding on this exceptional sandy-gravel terroir on the edge of Pomerol, with a vineyard that relies heavily on Cabernet Franc—including 8 hectares planted in 1956—which lends the great wine a unique freshness and depth of flavor. Since 2011, winemaking has taken place in the new, airy winery designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc. A tall, vast, luminous, minimalist, and eco-friendly structure. Fifty-five custom-made ivory-colored cement tanks, reinforced and contoured. It is the “beautiful and useful” facility that Captain-Director Pierre Lurton and Technical Director Pierre-Olivier Clouet had dreamed of. This spectacular yet unostentatious investment follows a vigorous overhaul of viticultural practices since 2008. With its confirmation as a Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the 2012 classification, the estate’s land base has expanded. For the first time, 1.40 hectares—derived from the annexation of Château Tour du Pin (a clay hill directly extending from the château’s driveway)—have been incorporated into the production of the grand vin. Though never the most powerful, Cheval Blanc nevertheless demonstrates a rare elegance and refinement. These characteristics are evident in the last five vintages and justify Cheval Blanc’s return last year to the exclusive ranks of the three-star wines.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

The 2022 Château Cheval Blanc is composed of 53% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged exclusively in new oak barrels. This is the second consecutive year that no Petite Cheval has been produced. (The last one was in 2015.) Its deep purple color gives way to a captivating Cheval Blanc, with fabulous aromas of blackcurrant, spices, flowers, spicy wood, and white truffle. These aromas carry through into a medium-bodied to full-bodied wine that is remarkably pure, elegant, and harmonious. On the palate, it is richly textured and beautifully rounded, offering a complex and harmonious mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a lingering finish. It evokes a more refined and elegant version of the 2010 vintage and is every bit as impressive. With an alcohol content of 14% and a balanced pH of 3.83, it can be cellared for a good ten years and will have a total lifespan of 40 to 50 years or more. 2035–2085

Yves Beck

About the wine:

No second wine in 2022. As a result, 78% is first wine, while 22% was sold in bulk. It displays great finesse and elegance, with a beautiful balance among all the elements present—and there are many! Whether it’s black berries, licorice wood, spices, a hint of red fruit, nuances of peony, and, in the background, notes of garrigue and aging, the complexity is at its peak. On the palate, the wine immediately displays density, charm, and character. It unfolds in a linear, seamless manner, with a wealth of detail and vigor. The tannins, along with a subtle austerity, reinforce the finish and deliver remarkable freshness and energy. These qualities emerge on the finish and offer great potential. Those who choose to drink it relatively young will find it very enjoyable, but not as much as those who are willing to wait. For me, along with the 2009, this is one of the greatest Cheval Blancs of the past 20 years. Such definition, precision, and persistence. 2030–2060

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

This is the darkest color ever seen at Cheval Blanc! The nose is intense, subtle, complex, and deep, with hints of raspberry, blackberry, licorice, and anise. The attack on the palate is very powerful. Immediately, the wine reveals itself as incredibly velvety and rich, with the radiant texture that this vintage is known for. And this creaminess becomes juicy. The opulence builds without causing the wine to stray from its aesthetic core. Ah, the sublime majesty of richness that never goes overboard! This flavor profile is both brilliant and inexplicable. A magnificent, savory finish.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Stunning in every way, this wine has everything to please—and so much more! Its bouquet is striking, blending flowers, black cherries, saffron, black raspberries, plums, smoke, licorice, and a hint of citrus. The palate, as sensual as can be, is even more exquisite, gaining in intensity as the minutes pass. Silky, seductive, concentrated, and perfectly balanced, this wine flows with remarkable ease. The extraordinary sensation of pure fruit invites you to take a second sip to fully savor every detail. The finish, which lasts an exceptional 60 seconds, gives way to a continuous wave of opulent fruit that lingers long after the wine has left the glass. This wine is a blend of 53% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. An exceptional wine in the making, not to be missed under any circumstances if you can afford it. Best enjoyed between 2028 and 2065.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego