2013 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER / 騎士酒莊
Something about Domaine de Chevalier
The magnificent Domaine de Chevalier is at the top of Bordeaux’s greatest Crus Classés. Like a secret garden, this emblematic vintage of the Pessac-Léognan appellation is located in a green setting south of Bordeaux. The elements of domain, terroir, and vineyard are inextricably linked to forge the identity of Domaine de Chevalier.
The Domaine de Chevalier has been owned by the Bernard family since 1983. It watches over a rare vineyard of 45 hectares with 40 hectares of red vines and 5 hectares of white vines. Olivier Bernard, the estate’s manager, reminds us “Only a great terroir can produce a great wine”. In a mosaic of terroirs, Domaine de Chevalier’s vineyard grows in black sand and fine white gravel that rests on a perfectly drained clay-gravel subsoil. With a philosophy centred on revealing the most beautiful expression of this exceptional terroir, Cabernet Sauvignon (63%) dominates the estate’s vines with Merlot (30%), Petit Verdot (5%) and Cabernet Franc (2%) making up the remaining vines. Bordeaux’s emblematic white grape variety, Sauvignon Blanc, represents 70% of the area dedicated to white vines. The other 30% is dedicated to Semillon.
Great attention is paid to every step in the vineyard and in the winery from extremely precise plot classification to masterful vinification techniques. The wines from Domain de Chevalier continue to be the most beautiful benchmarks in the region of Bordeaux year after year.
The Domaine de Chevalier Rouge is an emblematic wine from the estate. It is distinguished by its exceptional aromatic complexity. The ultra-fragrant bouquet combines the fruity character of Cabernet Sauvignon and the smokiness from the gravel, which is typical of the appellation. The palate is enveloped in a beautifully structured, silky mouthfeel with well-integrated tannins. All of this helps reveal the brilliant, mellow fruit. The Domaine de Chevalier Rouge will express all of its splendour through blossoming over the years while keeping its balance and fruit freshness.
The Domaine de Chevalier Blanc has a style that is unique among the best Pessac-Léognan wines, and is recognised as one of the world’s finest dry white wines. With class and refinement, the whites have an intensely expressive aromatic bouquet that reveal delicate white fruit notes along with elegant floral notes. The bouquet then evolves into smoky notes, which recalls the minerality of the terroir. The mouthfeel is ample and generous with a smooth texture. There is also a great aromatic concentration, as well as a richness that does not take away any freshness or crunchiness of the fruit. The finish has a breathtakingly persistent length that offers minerality and purity.
Color
Red
Region
Bordeaux
Sub-Region
Pessac-Leognan
Vintage
2013
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FROM THE
EXPERTS
Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. The Domaine de Chevalier has a lovely understated, very pure, quite feminine bouquet with seamlessly integrated oak that neatly encases the blackberry and blueberry fruit. There is a floral note that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins. There is a real backbone to this Pessac-Leognan, although the structured is disguised behind layers of velvety tannins. Gorgeous - but it deserves several years in the cellar. Tasted April 2013.
Extremely complex with cinnamon, dried fruits and dried flowers. Full body, super-integrated tannins and a silky, polished finish. Very impressive. Better in 2018 but very beautiful already
In a vintage in which so many wines are open and forward, Domaine de Chevalier's 2012 Rouge is anything but. As readers know, these wines are capable of aging for decades. The 2012 will certainly need at least a few years in bottle to blossom. With time in the glass, scents of chalk, game, smoke, incense and red cherry jam begin to appear, followed by a hint of white pepper that adds aromatic lift. This is a gorgeous wine from Domaine de Chevalier and proprietor Olivier Bernard, but readers should not be in a hurry. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Stéphane Derenoncourt is the consultant. Drink 2022-2042.
Glowing dark crimson. The most complex nose of all 2012 Pessacs, with the exception of the Haut-Brion stable. Pretty muscular and a little obviously chewy on the end for the moment but confidently presenting a wine whose charms do not depend on ripeness but on terroir. Appetising. Drink 2020 to 2035. 16.5++ points.
Very floral and elegant with raspberry and blackcurrant fruit mixed with toasty oak/vanillin, followed by a medium to full-bodied, stylish, polished wine that is the quintessentially refined style of Pessac-Léognan. Nevertheless, the complexity and nuance has yet to fully emerge. This medium to full-bodied Domaine de Chevalier is poised for a bright future. It is tight and backward now, as well as restrained aromatically, but everything is there for the future. Forget it for 5-7 years and drink it over the following 30 years. Drink 2020-2050.