Château Cheval Blanc Premier Grand Cru Classé A Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2016 (Magnum 1.5L)

“The 2016 Château Cheval Blanc is blended of 59.5% Merlot, 37.2% Cabernet Franc and 3.3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose is incredibly youthful yet not so shy as some other 2016s at this stage, giving wonderfully intense scents of red currants, black cherries, wild blueberries and violets with nuances of star anise, cinnamon stick, rose hip tea, cigar box and wood smoke plus a touch of beef drippings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has jaw-dropping elegance and depth, offering up layer upon layer of fragrant red and black fruits plus an extraordinary array of mineral sparks, supported by a rock-solid grainy texture, finishing with epic persistence and an edifying perfume. This is a very different style from the rich, opulently hedonic 2015, yet this wonderfully fragrant, beautifully poised and intellectually compelling 2016 is equally extraordinary.”

“The nose is subdued, showing tar, dark olives and tobacco. Medium- to full-bodied with intensity, energy and linear, polished tannins. The palate is nuanced and delicate, with flavors of dark fruit and dark chocolate. It has length and remarkable elegance. The tannins have integrated. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.”

“The 2016 Cheval Blanc has a beguiling bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, cedar, a touch of iron rust and black truffle scents that gain vigour with aeration. Stunning delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine tannins, very pliant and exerting a gentle grip. Sleek and focused, it gains depth towards the finish, with a dash of black pepper that just won't disappear on the aftertaste. Heavenly. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10 Year On tasting in London.”

“Better from bottle than barrel, the wine is refined, elegant and fresh. Here is a wine of precision. The fruit is perfect in every way. There are no flaws, hard edges or even a hair out of place. It is going to need time in the cellar to soften, fill out and sex up. But this is going to hit that high level, you just need to be patient. Give it 12-15 years before opening a bottle. The wine was made using 59.5% Merlot, 37.5% Cabernet Franc and 3.3% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the first vintage in 10 years that any Cabernet Sauvignon was used in the blend. 98 Points”

“Dark ruby with purple reflections and bright narrow rim. Savoury black berry fruit on the nose with delicate liquorice, dark cherry, fine noble wood notes and pleasant herbal character. Complex and very tightly meshed on the palate with subtle sweetness, integrated, supporting tannins and chocolate, ripe cherry and minerality on the finish. Excellent ageing potential, offering a lot of drinking pleasure over the next fifteen to twenty years.”

“Still pretty restrained at this 10 year point, a reminder that 2016 even in St Emilion was old school in character and architecture, and here you get a fully sculpted Cheval Blanc. No question of its exceptional quality, delivering waves of cumin, incense, baking spice, iris, damson, raspberry leaf, with crayon and pumice stone texture drawing out taste and sapidity, and offering a mouthwatering finish. Extremely classy. 100% new oak for ageing.”

“Initially quite closed, not yet revealing the ethereal typical Cabernet Franc perfume. The nose hints at remarkable concentration, while the palate delivers incredible density, supported by a lovely savoury bitterness. Structured and precise, this wine shows extraordinary depth and balance, but will require patience to reach its full aromatic expression. A Cheval of remarkable potential, combining power, finesse and longevity.”

“The grand vin 2016 Château Cheval Blanc checks in as 60% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in new barrels, and this is the first year a replanted block of Cabernet Sauvignon has made the top cuvée. Compared to the 2001 by Pierre Lurton, it displays stunning aromatic fireworks with notions of blackcurrants, forest floor, iron bar, graphite, and spice all soaring from the glass. It develops more floral nuances with time in the glass and, as always with this cuvée, it’s all about complexity and elegance. More medium to full-bodied, with beautiful tannins and perfect balance, it’s a decidedly classic, focused, elegant wine from this estate that will keep for 3-4 decades.”

“Rich, smoky and with powerful fruit, this structured wine also has an impressive perfumed character. Spice, blackberry fruits and rich tannins give wonderful firmness that will allow the wine to age well. Drink this already beautiful wine from 2025.”

“This has turned into a very dense wine, with waves of cassis, plum reduction and blackberry paste forming the core. Wrapped tightly in layers of tobacco and loam for now, while singed alder, incense, black tea and bergamot notes peek in here and there. The finish rumbles like thunder for now, with the swath of tannins, and there's just a twinge of drought-induced austerity. But there's acidity and drive too, and this will cruise in the cellar for some time. Best from 2025 through 2045.”