*7R* 2016 Chateau Cheval Blanc Saint Emilion (Bordeaux, FR)

Weight: 7R

Varietal: 59.5% Merlot   37.2 Cabernet Franc   3.3% Cabernet Sauvignon 

Region: Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France

100 points, The Wine Advocate

Drink 2023 - 2070

"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." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown