6pk Timber Wood Box
Château Cheval Blanc, classified Premier Grand Cru Classé A, is one of the most celebrated estates in Saint-Émilion and across Bordeaux. Famed for its unusually high proportion of Cabernet Franc and its distinctive gravel-over-clay terroir, Cheval Blanc produces wines that marry perfume, finesse, and longevity like no other Right Bank château. Even in cooler years, the estate’s precision viticulture and strict parcel selection ensure remarkable purity and elegance.
Vineyard
Cheval Blanc’s 39 hectares sit on a rare patchwork of gravel, clay, and sandy soils—conditions ideal for Cabernet Franc. This varietal contributes floral lift, aromatic complexity, and fine, linear structure. Merlot adds plushness, depth, and mid-palate weight. Each parcel is vinified separately, allowing the team to craft a blend that perfectly reflects the vintage and the estate’s signature style. Old vines and meticulous canopy management were critical in 2011, helping achieve full ripeness in a challenging growing season.
Vintage
2011 was a cooler, uneven vintage across Bordeaux, marked by an early flowering, a warm spring, and a mixed summer with sporadic rain. Fastidious vineyard work and strict fruit selection were essential to achieving quality. Cheval Blanc’s unique terroir and disciplined approach allowed the estate to produce one of the most refined wines of the Right Bank in 2011. While less powerful than 2009 or 2010, it is admired for its purity, polish, and classical restraint.
Tasting Notes
The 2011 Château Cheval Blanc opens with a lifted bouquet of redcurrant, raspberry, violets, fresh herbs, cedar, tobacco leaf, and delicate spice. The palate is medium-bodied, graceful, and linear, offering silky tannins and vibrant acidity that carry flavours of red fruit, graphite, savoury earth, and subtle floral notes. The finish is long, elegant, and aromatic, showing refined complexity without heaviness. This is a beautifully poised Cheval Blanc that emphasises finesse, transparency, and purity over power.
Critics’ Acclaim
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Recognised for its classical profile, aromatic clarity, and refined tannic structure
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Praised as a top Right Bank wine of the vintage
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Admired for its purity and early elegance
Technical Information
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Region: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
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Classification: Premier Grand Cru Classé A
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Blend: Cabernet Franc & Merlot (Cabernet Franc–dominant expression)
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Alcohol: ~13%
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Drinking Window: Now–2040
A Collectible Gem
The 2011 Château Cheval Blanc is a beautifully polished, refined, and aromatic expression of this iconic estate. It offers immediate charm with the structure to age gracefully, making it an excellent choice for collectors seeking elegance and classical balance in a cooler vintage.
