Château Cheval Blanc 1996

The elegant, moderately weighted 1996 Cheval Blanc reveals a deep garnet/plum, evolved colour. Quintessentially elegant, with a complex nose of black fruits, coconut, smoke, and pain grille, this medium-bodied wine exhibits sweet fruit on the attack, substantial complexity, and a lush, velvety-textured finish. It is very soft and evolved for a 1996. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015.

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. Best after 2007.

At 56% Cabernet Franc, this is a bright, floral Cheval Blanc, with white pepper, strawberry, mineral and oriental spice notes lingering nicely.

Very classic vintage, with 55-60% Cabernet Franc – a Cabernet Franc year. 1996 is a left bank year whereas 1995 was a right bank year. Mid crimson with minimal ageing at the rim. Looks quite thick and rich to judge from the viscosity. Much more obviously Cheval on the nose than the 1999. Intense and lovely fragrance and good potential for development. Very successful bridge between ancient and modern styles. This looked exceptionally good on the day. This was the surprise of this tasting – the best bottle to date. (JR)

Dark, rich, with almost violet and purple hues. Spicy, still closed Bouquet, gingerbread, clove, Irish moss, black pepper, beautifully dense, lovely extract sweetness. On the Palate plenty of substance, very concentrated, expressing an almost noble bitterness, similar to the 1986 vintage, only somewhat finer. A perhaps somewhat underrated wine, although at almost the same level as the celebrated '95.

Delicate, sweet and spicy Bouquet, blackcurrant, blackberries, tobacco, cedar, liquorice, herbs. Silky, fine Palate with good aromatics, elegant structure, fine tannins, light finish. 17/20 drink - 2024

The 1996 Cheval Blanc has a fine candy like Nose, perfumed and sweet. The Palate is strong and dark but also has elements of sticky sweetness and some rotten elements that pops up from time to time. This wine tastes a bit chaptalized and besides the nice Nose it fails to impress. Will probably last for many years but is not likely to become any better.

Logo on the cork: CRL Clear and evolved colour. Discreet nose, with very ripe fruit. Delightful palate, developing very fruity, savoury and pleasant, with an airy body. Finish of medium length, but very fragrant. It's worth noting that the following day, the wine's rating drops to 15.75. A drier note emerges on the finish. It's high time to drink it.