- CRITICAL REVIEWS
- WINEMAKER NOTES
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
2016 Chateau Cheval Blanc, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France
A very great vintage, dry and fresh, which expresses all the typicity of a great Cheval Blanc, at the same time complex, balanced, dense and fresh. A wine with immense aging potential.
Weather conditions
TEMPERATURES AND PRECIPITATION
The first months of the year were mild and very wet (420 mm over the period January – March). Temperatures were close to normal for the months of April to June with still very significant rainfall (273 mm). Very dry and sunny weather set in from the last days of June and this weather lasted until the end of the harvest, only punctuated by two rainy episodes in September (September 13-14 and September 30). The period July 1 – October 15 was exceptionally dry. The months of July, August and September recorded the highest number of hours of sunshine in 15 years. Temperatures were close to normal in July. August and September were warm, but with relatively cool nights. The harvest, which took place from September 20 to October 12, received very little water.
WATER DIET
The water regime was very contrasting in 2016 between the start and end of the season. The first six months of the year were very wet (695 mm, significantly more than the whole of 2015). Therefore, at the end of June the soils were still close to holding capacity. On the other hand, from July 1 until the end of the harvest, the weather was exceptionally dry. Faced with this particular water regime, the behavior of the vines was very different depending on the soil type. Water reserves were sufficient on clay soils and sandy soils (where the vines have access to the water table). On these soils, the vine's water regime was moderately limiting and particularly favorable to quality. On the gravelly soils, the young vines suffered from drought, with local defoliation and blocking of maturity. The old vines on gravel, with deeper roots, on the other hand, withstood the high water stress well, and their water regime was very favorable to quality.
VINE CYCLE
Bud break was early in 2016, but after a relatively cool and very wet April and May, flowering arrived a little week late. Despite the mixed weather during flowering, fruit set took place without any particular problems. The delay continued during veraison, which was particularly concentrated. The drought reversed the dynamics of ripening on the different soils: it was rapid on clay soils and sandy soils, while blockages were observed on young vines planted on gravelly soils. As a result, these plots, which are usually among the first to be harvested, were picked last. The harvest took place from September 20 to October 12, over 23 days, in very good weather, punctuated by only two rainy episodes. A plot of Cabernet-Sauvignon, planted in 2014, produced its first harvest at a perfect state of maturity.
Phenological stages in 2016 Merlot average 1996-2015 Cabernet Franc average 1996-2015
Budburst March 25 March 30 March 28 April 4
Bloom June 5 May 30 June 7 June 1st
Veraison August 8 August 2nd August 3 August 6
Harvest September 20 – October 1 September 18 September 28-October 12 September 28
Duration in days between…
Budburst and flowering 72 days 61 days 71 days 58 days
Flowering and veraison 64 days 64 days 67 days 67 days
Veraison and harvest 43 days 48 days 46 days 51 days
The start of the season was marked by strong mildew pressure. Thanks to the good weather which set in from the end of June, this pressure had no negative impact. The health condition at harvest was exceptional.
Particularity of the vintage
GRAPE MATURITY AND YIELD
The output of the vines was strong and fruit set took place in good conditions. Despite the drought in the second part of the season, the weight of the berries was close to average. the yield was quite clearly higher than normal values for both grape varieties. The water stress arrived relatively late and had no impact on the weight of the berries. Another explanation is that there was no limitation of the nitrogen supply.
Yield (hl/ha)
Merlot 50.3 33.7
Cabernet Franc 37.9 29.9
WINEMAKING AND AGING
In 2016, the sugar content of the grapes in vatage was average for the last ten years. The total acidity was lower, due to the low malic acid content of the grapes. This is almost always the case in years with water constraints and reflects very good maturity of the grapes at the time of harvest. Unusually in 2016, the low malic acid content did not translate into high pH.
The tasting
March 1, 2017
The first nose, initially discreet, quickly shows its aromatic complexity. The fruits dominate, mixing red fruits and black fruits such as cherry, raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant. The floral register is not lacking, this wine expresses violet, rose, peony, lilac. Aeration gradually reveals peppery, spicy, almost caramelized notes. The nose shines with its brightness and sharpness. The attack, creamy and voluminous, continues towards a mid-palate with powerful but coated tannins, rich and elegant, voluminous and refined. It is the balance between tannins and acidity which gives this wine all its character and gives it an endless length, fresh and fruity. The aromatic persistence of this Cheval Blanc is impressive.