2016 Château Cheval Blanc, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux - 750ml

96–98 Point Vintage (vintage consensus: a structured, classically proportioned, and exceptionally age-worthy Bordeaux vintage defined by purity, precision, and refined tannins across both banks).

Château Cheval Blanc stands as one of Bordeaux’s most iconic Right Bank estates, revered for its distinctive Cabernet Franc-driven profile and its singular gravel and clay terroir at the edge of Pomerol. In 2016, the château delivered a wine of extraordinary clarity and architectural precision — harnessing the power of the vintage while preserving its hallmark elegance and aromatic complexity.

Blend: Predominantly Cabernet Franc with Merlot (hallmark estate composition; 2016 reflects a strong Cabernet Franc presence).

Tasting Notes: The bouquet is lifted and intricate, revealing black cherry, cassis, and ripe plum layered with violet, graphite, crushed stone, and subtle spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet impeccably balanced, offering dark berry fruit, cocoa, fine cedar, and a pronounced mineral core. The tannins are dense but remarkably refined, creating a seamless texture that carries through a long, precise, and resonant finish.

Structure: Powerful yet elegant, with exceptional precision and long-term aging capacity.

Drink Window: 2028–2065+

Decanting: If opened in its youth, decant 3–4 hours to allow the structure to soften and the aromatics to fully unfurl. With additional maturity, a gentle decant for sediment will suffice.

The 2016 Cheval Blanc is a benchmark expression of the estate — poised, layered, and built for decades of evolution. A cornerstone vintage for serious collectors, it combines intellectual precision with unmistakable presence at table, reaffirming its place among the world’s most revered wines.