One of the two great wines of Saint-Emilion and produced in much greater quantity than AUSONE – some 12,500 cases a year as against barely 2,000. It has also regularly performed at the very highest level throughout the last two decades. Cheval Blanc is located close to the appellation boundary with Pomerol. There is a high proportion of Cabernet Franc in the vineyard, which makes the wine quite different to those of its near neighbours, although this has recently been reduced to just under 50% by the addition of some 4% of Cabernet Sauvignon. Bernault Arnault and Albert Frère purchased the property in the late 1990s and no expense has been spared in attempting to establish Cheval Blanc as the greatest property on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Whether this is the case or not is a matter of opinion but it is a wine of truly legendary proportions. The style is rich, concentrated and opulent, with intensely complex, dark berry fruit and spice all underpinned by a structured velvety texture. To fully appreciate it in all its glory, 10 years or more of ageing is required. Since 1988, a second wine, Le Petit Cheval has been made, but none has been produced in 2015 with most of the wine going into Cheval Blanc itself. (NB)
