Lunch and visit at Chateau Cheval Blanc in Saint Emilion

Just after my visit at Chateau Figeac on THU morning, I had scheduled a lunch for 12:00 at the neighboring Chateau Cheval Blanc. The first part of what was to become Cheval Blanc was acquired in 1832 by the Ducasse family from Chateau Figeac and increased with additional purchases in 1838. By 1871 the property owned about 41 ha of vines, the same as it has today. It includes two of the five gravel mounds found in Figeac, Cheval Blanc and touching Petrus in Pomerol. The vines are on average 30-35 years old, growing Cabernet Franc(57%), Merlot(40%), Cabernet Sauvignon(2%) and Malbec(1%). Yields are around 35 hl/ha. The winery produces two wines: Cheval Blanc – the grand vin(usually 6000 cases per year) aged for up to 18 months in new French oak and the second wine: Le Petit Cheval(usually 2500 cases per year) aged for about 12 months.

To enter the property after you exit the main road in Saint Emilion, you drive a short distance on a country road through the Chateau’s front vines. There were plenty of bodyguards located on this road to guide you to the parking lot.

As I walked from the parking lot to the actual place where the party was, it was impossible not to notice the helicopter parked in front of the main house. This helicopter kept on leaving and coming back, bringing guests that attended lunch.

On June 9th, Chateau Cheval Blanc inaugurated their 13 Million Eur brand new green winery built by architect Christian de Portzamparc. For the construction, he used a breathable material called mashrabiya for the walls to facilitate natural ventilation and subterranean cellars to minimize use of air-conditioning.

lunch was served just next to the vineyards

Cement tanks of varies sizes were built so that every parcel of vines can be fermented separately,in order to better monitor the quality of each vine and have a better final blend. There are around 52 cement vats available now at the winery and they have about 40 parcels of vines. The egg shaped cement tanks were specially tailor made by an Italian producer from Friuli for Cheval Blanc.

The building uses natural materials – wood, glass and cement – inside and out. Cheval Blanc has grass and wild flowers on its roof.

the blue glass is lighted during the night

From the top of the terrace you can clearly see the building and the roof of the old property.

Even though it has a futuristic appearance, the design of the new building was made to merge with the old premises, the vineyards and to perfectly blend into the picture. There is harmony and balance when you look at the overall property. From the roof top, there is a beautiful panorama of the vineyards surrounding the property and also a view of the neighboring Chateau’s.

Down in the cellar, where the wine is aged in small oak barrels, clay bricks were made to maintain the same new-old appearance and save energy.

An absolutely beautiful winery built with a perfectionist attention to details and nothing too flashy or out of place. Pierre Lurton, the General Manager appointed by LVMH to supervise the property, is also looking over another luxury brand and Chateau from Sauternes: Chateau d’Yquem.

Pierre Lurton, GM of Cheval Blanc and Yquem

Dom Perignon 2002 was served with appetizers in the interior courtyard. As guests kept on coming the tour of the winery was done in small groups with a guide. My group included Sebastian Zuccardi and Ruben Ruffo from the Argentinian Zuccardi winery.

Dom Perignon 2002 is a full bodied Champagne with microscopically subdued bubbles, a pale yellow lemon color, a pleasant citrus palate, a pronounced vinousity and a medium plus finish that went very well with the foie gras, goat cheese and cherry tomatoes with sesame seeds appetizers served. (91/100)

After the complete tour, we were invited to join the other guests and sit down at the tables arranged just next to the vineyards.

descending from the roof top for lunch

There were around 10 people seated at each table and one of the companions was Jean-Michel Deiss, who currently runs domain Marcel Deiss, and his son. A person with charming wit and healthy social beliefs.

Lunch started with a cold dish with eggplants, tomatoes with mozzarella and balsamic vinegar and some type of prosciutto.

We had Le Petit Cheval 2001.

2001 Le Petit Cheval Saint Emilion

Dark red color. Rich and well developed nose with great earthy aromas, charcoal, dry plum, cherry, shades of green vegetables, a touch of fig paste, mocha and tobacco. Medium plus bodied, with firm tannins, mouth coating and rich flavors of earthy sweet red fruit and mocha on the palate, and a bitter sweet black tea flavor aftertaste. Constantly evolving in the glass. (92-93/100)

The main course was a juicy rare beef steak with a gratin of potatoes and onion on top.

The main dish was served with a 2000 Chateau Cheval Blanc.

2000 Chateau Cheval Blanc Premier Grand Cru Classe A, Saint Emilion

Deep dark red opaque color. A well developed nose, fresh and intense, tighter than the Petit Cheval, still youthful, with classic Bordeaux aromas of black currant buds, beautiful truffles flavors, pronounced minerality, red fruit: red currant, cranberry, black currant, black tea and mocha. Elegant nose with brooding complexity. Medium to full bodied, velvety mouth-feel, rich classic palate with depth and a long finish of coffee bean and red fruit. Great balance but still feels closed. (98/100)

The cheese course and the dessert were served with a 1996 Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes.

1996 Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes

Glowing deep gold color with an oily texture appearance. Rich, intense and well developed nose with incredible balance between sweet and mineral aromas. Less botrytis in ’96 vs ’97 but the wine still shows amazing rich layers of honey, apricot, saffron and mineral-petrol. Vibrant and lively palate with depth, exquisite balance and freshness, unctuous but in no way sticky, and a very long sweet-mineral finish. Just an amazing wine. (96-97/100)

Yquem 1996

Yquem 1996, Cheval Blanc 2000 and Petit Cheval 2001

After such a great lunch with amazing wines and good conversation, really not eager to leave, I had to excuse myself and leave, as my 17:00 appointment at Petrus in Pomerol was due. It’s a terrible life.

P.S. Chateau Cheval Blanc 2010 was released at 890 Eur/bottle and Le Petit Cheval at 160 Eur/bottle ex-negociant

A video of Chateau Cheval Blanc: