Cheval Blanc 2011

The wine in this vintage

Bordeaux's 2011 was an irregular vintage: a hot, dry spring, a cool, rainy summer and uneven ripening. On the Right Bank, the best clay and gravel terroirs nonetheless produced balanced, classically styled wines. Cheval Blanc 2011 is a measured wine, with red fruit, currant, tobacco leaf, floral notes and a light mineral touch; the palate is medium-bodied and fresh, with tannins that are still slightly dry but gradually relaxing. It lacks the richness of the great years but shares their aromatic finesse. Not yet at its peak, it will benefit from a few more years of ageing.

The producer · Château Cheval Blanc

On the north-western edge of Saint-Émilion, just a stone's throw from Pomerol, Château Cheval Blanc has been one of Bordeaux's most celebrated names for over a century and a half. The estate took shape during the nineteenth century and for generations belonged to the Fourcaud-Laussac family, who defined its character and prestige. Since 1998 it has been owned by Bernard Arnault and the family of Baron Albert Frère, with Pierre Lurton at the helm for many years. The vineyard, just under forty hectares in a single block, lies on a mosaic of deep gravel and clay that resembles neighbouring Pomerol more than the rest of Saint-Émilion. Here Cabernet Franc plays a leading role alongside Merlot, an unusual signature on the Right Bank that yields wines of extraordinary aromatic elegance, freshness and longevity. A winery designed by Christian de Portzamparc and a commitment to agroecology reflect a contemporary vision. In 2022 the estate chose to leave the Saint-Émilion classification, secure in a reputation that needs no official rank.

Critics' scores

• 17/20 Jancis Robinson

Technical details

Producer

Château Cheval Blanc

Region

Bordeaux

Country

Francia

Type

Rosso

Vintage

2011

When to drink

Not yet at its peak

Sizes

75 cl, Magnum 150 cl, Case of 6 × 75 cl

eWibe code

0150111