2016 Cheval Blanc Bordeaux Blend

Bordeaux Blend - 6L
Reg: $7,995.00
$5,995.00
In Stock: 3 btls
Ships Immediately
Pre-Arrival: 0 btls
ETA: Pending
Most orders placed M-F by 3pm (PT) ship same day.
Orders placed on a weekend or holiday will ship the next business day.
Shipping Info

Free storage available
Wine Storage

REVIEWS

WA 100 DC 98 JL 98 JD 97 WE 97 WS 97 JS 94
WA 100

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2018

The 2016 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...
DC 98

Decanter, November 2018

This just keeps on going and going, the oak is perfectly integrated but holding everything in place. It has race, depth, complexity and feels true to the personality of the estate. It's deftly put together and feels...
JL 98

TheWineCellarInsider.com, September 2019

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...
JD 97

jebdunnuck.com, February 2019

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...
WE 97

Wine Enthusiast, May 2019

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...
WS 97

Wine Spectator, March 2019

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...
JS 94

jamessuckling.com, June 2022

On the nose, the restrained black fruit aromas are interwoven with a striking leather note and some spice. A very classical Bordeaux with a self-confidently dry personality. Long and ripe finish that feels more mature...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Saint Emilion
Vintage 2016
Size 6L
Percent alcohol 14%
Closure Cork

Chateau Cheval Blanc is a Premier Grand Cru Classe “A” estate located near Pomerol, but within the commune of Saint-Emilion. Its 39 hectares are divided into forty-five plots. While most of the appellation's other famous estates have limestone soil, Cheval Blanc's soil is alluvial, with roughly equal proportions of gravel and clay.

The vineyard has an original combination of grape varieties: 49% Cabernet Franc, 47% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Each plot has its own specific profile and, to a certain extent, are treated like separate vineyards because of differences in the age of the vines, grape variety, soil type, surface area, type of rootstock, etc. The combination of these many facets accounts for Cheval Blanc’s great complexity.

Archives show that vines have been grown at Cheval Blanc at least as far back as the 15th century, but the most prestigious part of Cheval Blanc's history can be dated from 1832 when the core plot of the present-day estate was purchased by Jean-Jacques Ducasse, President of the Libourne Trade Tribunal. Over the next twenty years, the purchase of plots belonging to Chateau Figeac led to the vineyard as we know it today.

The impressive 6,000 square-meter cellar adjacent to the chateau, designed by Christian de Portzamparc and inaugurated in June 2011, houses a state-of-the-art winemaking facility and features two enormous waves of white concrete that rise magnificently out of the ground. There is a garden of wild grasses atop an artificial hill, whose gracious curves are overlooked by the chateau. The wine cellar holds fifty-two concrete vats in six rows.

Formerly known as vin de Figeac, this wine was first sold under the name Cheval Blanc in 1852. The first gold medal won by Cheval Blanc came at the 1878 Universal Exhibition in Paris and that distinction appears on the label.

Each vineyard plot is vinified separately. At the start of fermentation, the juice is gently pumped over three times daily. As fermentation proceeds, pump-over frequency decreases and is eventually stopped when the desired level of extraction has been reached.

The young wine is aged 16 to 18 months in new French oak barrels. Six to seven different coopers are used to ensure complexity and harmony. During this period, the wine is racked by hand five to seven times. Blending takes place after the first three months.

Introducing the 2016 Cheval Blanc, a Bordeaux Blend from the esteemed Saint Emilion region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine is a true masterpiece, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of the renowned producer, Cheval Blanc.

In the glass, the wine presents a deep garnet-purple color, captivating the eye with its richness and allure. On the nose, the restrained black fruit aromas are interwoven with a striking leather note and hints of spice. It exudes a self-confidently dry personality, embodying the essence of a classical Bordeaux.

Upon the first sip, the wine reveals its true character. It is refined, elegant, and fresh, displaying a level of precision that is unparalleled. The fruit is flawless, with perfect ripeness and no hard edges. The palate is medium to full-bodied, offering layer upon layer of fragrant red and black fruits, accompanied by an extraordinary array of mineral sparks. The texture is rock-solid, with grainy tannins that provide structure and depth.

The 2016 Cheval Blanc is a departure from the opulently hedonic style of the previous vintage. It is wonderfully fragrant, beautifully poised, and intellectually compelling. It is a wine that demands patience and will reward those who wait. Cellaring for 12-15 years is recommended to allow the wine to soften, fill out, and reach its full potential.

This exceptional blend is composed of 59.5% Merlot, 37.5% Cabernet Franc, and 3.3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Notably, this is the first vintage in a decade that includes any Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, adding a new dimension to the wine's complexity.

Renowned wine critics have unanimously praised the 2016 Cheval Blanc. James Suckling awarded it a remarkable score of 94 points, highlighting its mature finish that sets it apart from other wines of the vintage. Jeff Leve rates it even higher at 98 points, praising its precision and flawless fruit. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awards this wine a perfect score of 100 points, describing it as elegant, deep, and intellectually compelling. Jeb Dunnuck lauds its complexity, elegance, and perfect balance, predicting a lifespan of 3-4 decades. Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator both award it an impressive score of 97 points, praising its richness, structure, and aging potential. Decanter rates it 98 points, commending its integration, race, depth, and fresh mint notes.

The 2016 Cheval Blanc is a wine of exceptional quality and finesse. It is a true collector's item that will continue to evolve and delight for many years to come.