Château Cheval Blanc

5/10/2017 Wein Wisser WEIN WISSER (RENÉ GABRIEL) : 19 / 20 5/3/2017 Bettane & Desseauve BETTANE & DESSEAUVE ( BETTANE & DESSEAUVE) : 98-99 / 100 Le plus grand vin de la propriété, du moins à sa naissance, depuis au moins 20 ans ! 38 % franc, 59 % merlot, 3 % cabernet sauvignon. Grand éclat fruité, allonge brillante, tannin ultra fin, délicatesse, allonge raffinée. 5/2/2017 Martin WINE ADVOCATE (NEAL MARTIN) : 97-99 / 100 The 2016 Cheval Blanc is a blend of 59% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and (the return of) 3% Cabernet Sauvignon from the gravel soils since in this vintage the vines showed absolutely no stress. It delivers 14.25% alcohol with an IPT of 75 and a pH 3.67, which Pierre Lurton told me is a little lower than normal. As usual, it is matured in 100% new oak. It has a very pure, correct and quite penetrating bouquet with black cherries, blackcurrant, graphite and a touch of wild mint. It is bashful at first but opens with confidence with aeration (incidentally, I allowed my sample 40 minutes to open). The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin and a killer line of acidity that imparts so much freshness from the starting gun. That soupçon on Cabernet Sauvignon does make a difference, lending a subtle vein of graphite that runs throughout the wine. It remains linear, with laser-like focus towards the extraordinarily persistent finish, pencil lead on the "HB" aftertaste. This is a classic and intellectual Cheval Blanc, not as charming perhaps as the 2015 Cheval Blanc, but it will unquestionably age gracefully over decades not years. 4/28/2017 Quarin JEAN-MARC QUARIN (JEAN-MARC QUARIN) : 19,5 / 20 Couleur sombre, pourpre aux reflets noirs. Nez intense, fin, très fruité, pur, éclatant et cette année particulièrement floral. Superbe entrée en bouche ample, puis le vin monte très serein, calme, mais aussi puissant, minutieux et très fondant, avec beaucoup de goût. Il rebondit encore en finale, puissant, sèveux, complexe et noble sur une saveur de violette. Je ne crois pas avoir vu ce cru aussi persistant à ce stade. Un délice. Assemblage : 59,5 % merlot, 37,2 % cabernet franc et 3,3 % cabernet sauvignon - Degré d’alcool : 14°25 (moyenne) – pH : 3,67 (moyenne moins) – IPT : 72 (moyenne plus). Sélection : 77 % de la production. Production : 115 000 bouteilles. 4/26/2017 Vinous VINOUS (ANTONIO GALLONI) : 96-99 / 100 A wine of precision and extraordinary beauty, the 2016 Cheval Blanc is also one of the highlights of the year. In the glass, it is precise, delicate and understated. Hints of espresso, plum, spice and wild cherry all develop in the glass, but it is the wine's feel and vivid personality that stand out most. I expect the 2016 will put on weight during its aging, both in barrel and later in bottle. It is an absolutely stunning wine in every way. 4/25/2017 Jukes MATTHEWJUKES.COM (MATTHEW JUKES) : 19 / 20 (59.5 Merlot, 37.2 Cabernet Franc, 3.3 Cabernet Sauvignon) | 100% new oak | 14.2% alc. | 40 hl/ha. The production is 100000 bottles (the same as last year when they made no second wine). They were saved by the clay in the soil as this regulated the water amazingly and the resulting wine is dense, tannic and powerful but at the same time melodic, sensual and refreshing. Terrific richness and length and with superb gloss, this is a wine in perfect equilibrium and it signals a precision move for Cheval Blanc. 19+ 4/24/2017 Decanter.com DECANTER.COM (JANE ANSON) : 98 / 100 Another excellent Cheval, this is a wine that every year stands among the greatest in the region. The main impression is of a softly-spun silky texture with complete focus and clarity through the palate. There is some of the density of 2010 here, with the florality of 2005. Gorgeous. Many people spent a long time picking in 2016, but at Cheval Blanc everything came in within just 10 days, rather unusually picking grapes on gravel and clay at the same time. The blend is 59% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% new oak. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050 4/21/2017 Robinson JANCIS ROBINSON (JANCIS ROBINSON) : 18,5 / 20 The property is divided into 45 different plots and each plot has made some grand vin in the last five years. This is from 33 plots. 38% Cabernet Franc, 59% Merlot. The remaining 3% is Cabernet Sauvignon, from a parcel that has been replanted with Cabernet Franc successively. But they have decided to recover this gravelly plot by the road to St-Émilion with Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the first year it's in the grand vin as a reflection of the traditional assemblage of Cheval Blanc. Tasty floral start and then quite rich. A bit of grainy astringency (from those concrete vats?) in terms of texture - by no means unpleasant. Lots of floral notes, hint of putty and then lovely richness underneath. Quite a contrast between nose and palate. Smudgy palate and precise nose. Tannins really present on the end. Very floral on the nose. Big gap! Not sweet!! 18.5+ 4/19/2017 Wine Enthusiast WINE ENTHUSIAST (ROGER VOSS) : 97-99 / 100 Barrel Sample. Fruit and tannins have combined so harmoniously in this impressive, magnificent wine. The acidity shoots through to give considerable freshness, lifting the blackberry fruit. What makes the wine though are the tannins, which support the marvelous fruit. It will obviously age for many, many years. 4/10/2017 Quarin JEAN-MARC QUARIN (JEAN-MARC QUARIN) : 19,5 / 20 Couleur sombre, pourpre aux reflets noirs. Nez intense, fin, très fruité, pur, éclatant et cette année particulièrement floral. Superbe entrée en bouche ample, puis le vin monte très serein, calme, mais aussi puissant, minutieux et très fondant, avec beaucoup de goût. Il rebondit encore en finale, puissant, sèveux, complexe et noble sur une saveur de violette. Je ne crois pas avoir vu ce cru aussi persistant à ce stade. Un délice. 4/5/2017 Jamessuckling.com JAMESSUCKLING.COM (JAMES SUCKLING) : 98-99 / 100 This is very powerful Cheval with searing tannins and bright fruit, acidity and mineral undertones. Full and muscular yet beautifully formed and polished. It's all about the form to this. Better than 2015.