Château Cheval Blanc 2016

James Suckling

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 than most of the wines of this vintage. Drink or hold. Château Quintus vertical tasting.

Decanter Magazine

A bold nose, structured and dense. The palate is so delicious, just so filling but not heavy. It has the crushed stone, chalk texture that is satisfying and the undercurrent of bright red fruit and cooling mint both acting at the same time. It's the base flavour and texture here that is so persistent, really driving the wine forward with motion and precision but with a deepness, really coming from the core of the wine. Forceful and persistent but graceful and so charming - not heavy or trying too hard. Perfectly balanced with excellent energy and grip. Excellent definition overall. A stunning wine.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

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 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.

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Andreas Larsson - Tasted

Tim Atkin

Jeannie Cho Lee

Falstaff

Jean-Marc Quarin

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider