Chateau Cheval Blanc 1996
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Spectator
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The deep, brilliant, ruby-red color has a brownish-red rim showing the wine's age. Although the bouquet seems rather closed at first, it opens up when swirled in the glass to reveal complex aromas of blackcurrant, fruit in brandy, vanilla, and understated oak. The nose gains in complexity and intensity over time, but the fruit always prevails. The wine starts out powerful, vinous, and elegant on the palate. This vintage has a great deal of freshness and is rich and dense on the middle palate. The tannin is luscious, but fine-grained. The fruity flavors go into quite a long aftertaste that remains fresh. The 1996 Cheval Blanc shows good concentration and fine aromatic complexity that has developed well over time. The wine has been delightful for the past several years and is now starting to show its age, although it still appears to have further potential.
Blend: 56% Cabernet Franc and 44% Merlot
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Medium ruby, with a garnet edge. Aromas of plum and fresh herbs, such as basil, that turn to cedar and cigar box. Full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins. Long and flavorful, with subtle chocolate, berry and light coffee aftertaste. Gorgeous.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective.
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The present-day Cheval Blanc vineyards had vines at least as far back as the 18th century, as shown by Belleyme's map of the region dated 1764. Nearly a century later, the estate was acquired by the Fourcaud-Laussac family who owned it until 1998, when it was sold to Mr Bernard Arnault and Baron Albert Frère.
The vineyard is in a single block, and borders on the Pomerol appellation. An outstanding terror and unusual proportions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot give this great wine an absolutely unique flavor. Chateau Cheval Blanc has had a greater number of outstanding vintages than any other classified great growth over the past century.
Another unusual characteristic of Cheval Blanc is that once it reaches its peak, it maintains it for a very long time. This admirable wine is powerful, soft, rich, round and silky. It has tremendous fruit and elegance as well as exceptional quality from year to year.