Saint Emilion Grand Cru - Château Cheval Blanc 2012

The domain

Known worldwide, White Horse Castle, 1er Grand Cru Classé A, is one of the legendary properties of Right Bank wines in the region of Bordeaux. Cheval Blanc benefits from a unique and rare terroir, enjoying a special position on the plateau of Saint Emilion. While the Saint-Émilion appellation is known for its limestone formations, White Horse Castle is located on the quaternary alluvia of the Isle, a non-calcareous formation with a varied texture, combining gravel and clay soils in roughly equal proportions. This peculiarity of the soils means that Cheval Blanc benefits from soils similar to those of the greatest Grands Crus of Pomerol.

The year 2012 was marked by a major contrast between a particularly rainy spring and early summer and a very dry end to the season. If the month of April is wet and cool, May and June are very mild despite heavy rainfall until July 15. These conditions lead to heterogeneous bud burst and flowering as well as significant mildew pressure. Between July 15 and September 20, only 30 millimeters of rain are recorded against more than 120 mm usually. The months of September and October are punctuated by a few rainy episodes. The sanitary condition is ideal throughout the harvest.