{"product_id":"2016-chateau-cheval-blanc-1er-grand-cru-classe-saint-emilion","title":"2016 Château Cheval Blanc 1er Grand Cru Classé Saint-Emilion","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2016 Château Cheval Blanc 1er Grand Cru Classé is a landmark Saint-Émilion from one of the most revered estates on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. From an already legendary vintage, this wine marries immense concentration with the hallmark finesse, freshness, and precision that have made Cheval Blanc a modern icon. Awarded 100\/100 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, it stands as a benchmark bottling for collectors and serious enthusiasts alike.\n\nBlended from 59.5% Merlot, 37.2% Cabernet Franc and 3.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, this grand vin is crafted from parcel-by-parcel micro-vinification in an ultra-modern gravity-fed winery designed by Christian de Portzamparc. The 2016 harvest was conducted slowly and meticulously over a record 34 days, allowing each plot to be picked at ideal ripeness. Rooted in the unique gravel-and-clay terroirs of the Saint-Émilion–Pomerol border, this vintage underscores Cheval Blanc’s historic reputation for producing wines of both power and ethereal elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2016 Château Cheval Blanc is a deep, opaque purple with a vibrant violet rim, hinting at its youth and intensity. The nose is extraordinarily complex and layered, unfurling with aromas of kirsch, ripe raspberry, crushed blueberry and black cherry, interwoven with notes of violets, lilacs, fresh herbs, graphite, and subtle exotic spices. Elegant scents of finely integrated oak—cedar, cocoa nib, and a whisper of sweet baking spice—sit perfectly in the background, adding detail without dominating the fruit.\n\nOn the palate, this wine is both powerful and supremely refined, with an immediate, concentrated attack that remains remarkably poised. The texture is velvety yet structured, delivering waves of red and blue fruits, kirsch, wild raspberry and blueberry reduction, alongside nuances of licorice, cigar box, and a mineral-driven freshness. The mid-palate is full-bodied yet weightless, marked by extraordinarily fine-grained, precise tannins that feel polished rather than aggressive. The finish is long, persistent, and multidimensional, with lingering notes of ripe berries, floral lift, and cool graphite. This 2016 has tremendous aging potential—easily 25–40 years in a good cellar—promising even greater complexity, harmony and aromatic nuance with time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Cheval Blanc sits on a singular mosaic of gravel, clay, and sand on the border of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, a terroir that uniquely favors both Merlot and Cabernet Franc at the highest level. In 2016, a beautifully balanced growing season allowed for a slow, precise harvest conducted plot by plot over 34 days, ensuring each parcel was picked at its optimal point of maturity. The fruit is carefully hand-harvested and brought to the estate’s state-of-the-art winery, where vinification is carried out in 50 specially designed, truncated-cone concrete vats, allowing true micro-vinification of each individual plot. Concrete was chosen for its superior thermal stability, while the tronconic shape promotes a gentle, even extraction. The entire process is gravity-fed, eliminating the need for pumps and preserving the integrity of the berries and must. Each lot is then aged in carefully selected French oak barrels, with a high proportion of new oak, to build texture and complexity while maintaining the purity, elegance, and precision that define Cheval Blanc.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2016 Château Cheval Blanc is a natural partner for refined, richly flavored dishes that match its depth without overwhelming its finesse. Ideal pairings include roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic, beef fillet or côte de boeuf, veal tenderloin with truffle jus, or game birds such as pigeon or duck. It also shines alongside earthy dishes featuring morels, porcini, or black truffles, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (around 60–64°F) to showcase its aromatics and structure. In its youth, decanting for 2–3 hours is recommended to allow the wine to fully open; as it matures, a gentle 1-hour decant to remove sediment and awaken the bouquet will be sufficient.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Cheval Blanc is one of Bordeaux’s most storied estates, classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé \"A\" in Saint-Émilion and revered worldwide as a pillar of Right Bank excellence alongside names like Pétrus and Ausone. Owned by Belgian businessman Albert Frère and Bernard Arnault, the estate has invested heavily in both vineyard precision and a cutting-edge winery to honor and elevate its historic terroir. Under the stewardship of Pierre Lurton—who also oversees Château d’Yquem—Cheval Blanc has continued to refine its style, producing wines known for their combination of richness, aromatic complexity, and effortless grace. Its pioneering embrace of Cabernet Franc, alongside Merlot, has helped define the character of top Right Bank Bordeaux, and its consistently high critical acclaim, including multiple 100-point vintages, cements its status as one of the world’s great wine producers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Cheval Blanc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251800953169,"sku":"GCW-CHEV-16001","price":925.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2016_Chteau_Cheval_Blanc_1er_Grand_Cru_Class_SaintEmilion.png?v=1783441496","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2016-chateau-cheval-blanc-1er-grand-cru-classe-saint-emilion","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}