2018 30

Anne and Olivier Bernard in June 2015 during Vinexpo dinner at Domaine de Chevalier

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WHITE WINE

Domaine de Chevalier is situated in the middle of the forest area in Léognan town's outskirt, around 17 km south of Bordeaux. There are 5 ha of "white" vines planted with 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon, which are 25 years old on average.

Fermentation (alcoholic) occurs at 15-20°C in individual barrels (without swirling) and lasts one month. Wine is kept for 18 months in 35% new barrels with occasional sediment stirring and is slightly filtrated.

Harvest of "white" grapes always goes on in several rounds and can take one month. These grapes need much care – they must not be insufficiently ripe (lack of fruit sweetness) or overripe (lack of acidity).

Between 15 and 20 pickers collect perfectly ripe grapes under severe selection and do this in 4-10 rounds. Grapes with brown spots and rotten stalks will, of course, not pass through this strict selection.

Domaine de Chevalier is undoubtedly among the finest white wines of Bordeaux. Its incredible refinement, nuance-richness, elegance, structure, and keeping ability have made it a worthy rival to the best white Burgundy wines.

Domaine de Chevalier enjoys a fantastic reputation among wine freaks and is one of the few dry white wines with long-keeping potential. It can easily manage 20-30 years and even longer from its birth date in excellent vintages! It takes against you with open arms in the first 3-4 years of its life, then it hibernates for 8-12 years, and afterward, it wakes up to life again.

Vintages 1970-1982 were made by the previous owner Claude Ricard, who sold Domaine de Chevalier to the Bernard family in 1983. However, he stayed at the property until 1988 to teach young Olivier Bernard the art of making white wine. Vintage 1983, 1984, and 1985 were made with the increasing influence of Olivier Bernard, and vintage 1986 was the first one Olivier Bernard was involved 100% in. Denis Dubordieu was consulting oenologist here for many years.

In 2003 Olivier Bernard brought Stephane Derenencourt, the famous oenologist consultant, to help improve red wine quality. It certainly has happened,

Tasting notes of white Domaine de Chevalier are mainly from 26 vintages in April 2005. The red ones have been updated with impressions from a vertical of 23 wines tasted at the property in April 2012. These 23 vintages were - 1983-4-5-6-8-9-1990-5-6-8-9-2000-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-2010-11. 

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Domaine de Chevalier 2022 (barrel sample) 97p

Tasted in April 2023. It gave a dignified nose of green apple, pear, and lemongrass. Great acidity. Vibrant and sophisticated on the palate with great complexity, depth, and length. Many layers. Classic and distinguished effort for the property. Amazing stuff!

Domaine de Chevalier 2021 (barrel sample) 96-97p

Tasted twice in April 2022 with the same impression. A dazzlingly fresh and dignified nose of peaches, pear, and lemongrass. Great presence of acidity. Vibrant, sophisticated, and refined on the palate with great complexity, depth, and length. A classic and distinguished effort for the property. Amazing stuff! 

Domaine de Chevalier 2020  96p

Tasted twice - last time in April 2023. Consistent notes. 70% Sauvignon Blanc + 30% Semillon. A distinct nose of pineapple, acacia flower, lemongrass, splendid acidity and crunchiness of fruit, racy with finesse and sophisticated touch, persistent aftertaste. A spectacular effort for the vintage. Sheer class! 

Domaine de Chevalier 2019 97+p

It tasted twice - last time in February 2022. Consistent notes. 70% Sauvignon + 30% Semillon. Alcohol is 14%. A dazzlingly fresh, sublime, dignified nose of flowers mixed with peaches and citron grass. Great presence of acidity. Lively, sophisticated, and refined on the palate with extraordinary complexity, depth, and length. A classic and highly stylish wine for the property. Amazing stuff! 

Domaine de Chevalier 2018 96p

Tasted twice - last time in December 2020. Consistent notes. 75% Sauvignon Blanc + 25% Semillon. A distinct nose of pineapple, acacia flower, and lemongrass, splendid acidity and crunchiness of fruit, racy with finesse and sophisticated touch, and persistent aftertaste. A spectacular effort for the vintage. 

Domaine de Chevalier 2017 96-97p

Tasted four times - last time in December 2020. Consistent notes. It displayed many nuances and aromas, sophisticated touch, great depth, a long finish, and great complexity. Crispy and with great acidity. Fabulous stuff.

Domaine de Chevalier 2016 95p

Tasted twice - last time in October 2018. Consistent notes. On the level with 2015, there may be more acidity here than in 2015; however, it was less intense. Still an excellent wine.

Domaine de Chevalier 2015 96p

Tasted three times - last time in October 2018. Consistent notes. As always, refined and sophisticated, with fine acidity, complexity, and structure. Slightly under the 2014 vintage in quality. Still a magnificent wine.

Domaine de Chevalier 2014 97p

Tasted five times - last time in October 2018. Consistent notes. For the owner, Olivier Bernard, this vintage reminds him of 2001, an exceptional vintage for white Bordeaux. First, this wine has strikingly great acidity, fat fruit, exquisite elegance and finesse, richness, and sophisticated touch. Has unlimited longevity. Awesome stuff.

Domaine de Chevalier 2013 94p

Tasted three times - last time in April 2016. Consistent notes. Delicate aromatic nose of apple and acacia, lush palate with excellent acidity, delicate balance, and smooth aftertaste. Great complexity and sophisticated touch. A perfect wine for the vintage.

Domaine de Chevalier 2012 94p

Tasted three times - last time in October 2015. Consistent notes. Delicate aromatic nose of apple and acacia, lush palate with excellent acidity, delicate balance, and smooth aftertaste. Great complexity and sophisticated touch. Stunning wine for the vintage.

 Domaine de Chevalier 2011 96p

Tasted twice - last time in n April 2014. Consistent notes. This wine was powerful, with many acacia flowers, apples, and citron grass. Great structure, depth, and length on the palate, rich balance, and intense finish. As always, utterly impressive stuff from this property!

Domaine de Chevalier 2010 97p

Tasted five times - last time in April 2014. Consistent notes. This wine was incredibly aromatic with lemongrass, pear, apple, and pineapple, extremely sophisticated, with great acidity and depth, and a long caressing aftertaste. An exceptional showing.

Domaine de Chevalier 2009 (barrel sample) 95p

Tasted five times - last time in April 2011. Consistent notes. Intense flowery nose with pineapple, acacia, citron, lemon, and apples, refined, rich, splendid acidity, excellent balance, and thrillingly smooth aftertaste. Great elegance and style. Stunning beauty.

Domaine de Chevalier 2008 95p

Tasted nine times - last time in September 2011. Consistent notes. Harvest finished on 3rd October (!!), a small yield of 27 hl/ha, 3-4 selections in the vineyard, 75% Sauvignon Blanc + 25% Semillon. Very open, incredibly aromatic with lemon and pineapple, and incredibly attractive, tasty, and smooth, caressing aftertaste. More minerality and more length here. This was a magnificent showing!

Domaine de Chevalier 2007 97p

Tasted eight times - last time in September 2013. Consistent notes. 85% Sauvignon Blanc + 15% Semillion. Deep and refined, it had a very intense aroma of acacia flower, pear, and pineapple on the nose. Exceptionally structured, had excellent acidity, was very long and deep on the palate, and had perfect balance and aftertaste. Olivier Bernard believes this one is even better than the 2002 vintage (regarded as one of the best white vintages in the last 20 years), with better structure, and I agree with him.

Domaine de Chevalier 2006 92p

We tasted four times - last time in March 2009. Consistent notes. It did impress with freshness, a splendid collaboration between aromatically scented fruit (lemon/citrus, pear, and peaches), acidity, many nuances, lovely structure, and a long aftertaste.

Domaine de Chevalier 2005 97p

Tasted five times - last time in March 2015. Consistent notes. Extremely aromatic and full-bodied with acacia, apple, and citrus in large quantities, incredibly refined and sophisticated, multi-dimensional and fabulously structured, and extra-large long on the palate. Exceptional wine. Rather closed in March 2015. 95p.

Domaine de Chevalier 2004 94p

Tasted five times - last time in April 2007. Consistent notes. Light yellow. This barrel sample promised well for the future with freshness and elegance, refinement, and splendid "teamwork" between wine's acidity and fruit sweetness. It will be exciting to see if it will reach the same heights as 2001 when it has some age. This one is to keep 20-25 years horizontally.

Domaine de Chevalier 2003 92p

Tasted in April 2005. Light yellow. It was exotic and very aromatic in the nose with mango, melon, and apricot and possessed great elegance, much finesse, and a delicious aftertaste. It was beautiful, satisfying many white wine fans for the next 10-15 years.

Domaine de Chevalier 2002 97p

In 2001, Sauvignon Blanc reached perfect maturity, and pickers were again enormously happy with these sweet grapes. But Sémillon also reached ideal maturity, maybe even better than in 2001.

Tasted three times - last time in August 2006. Consistent notes. Straw yellow. It had a very intense nose of peach, citrus, and apple. On the palate, luscious fruit was in a pretty embrace with lovely acidity. This wine offered many nuances, exceptional structure, depth, sensational length, and sophisticated appearance. It is masterly made and will be incredibly long-lived.

Domaine de Chevalier 2001 96p

Olivier Bernard explained that for the first time as the manager for Domaine de Chevalier (since 1983), he saw pickers eating Sauvignon Blanc grapes anno 2001. They do it quite rarely, for this grape variety typically taste rather tart, even if the grapes are ripe. In 2001, these grapes were, by the way, exceptionally ripe!

Tasted in April 2005. Straw yellow. It was very close to 2002 in terms of quality but slightly less abundant and intense. Otherwise, all the ingredients are put in the right places. It is another divine and sublime white wine in the collection. It can last for a minimum of 25 years from now on.

Domaine de Chevalier 2000 92p

Tasted twice - last time in October 2010. Light yellow. Lovely nose of acacia flower and lemon, full-bodied and well proportioned on the palate with fresh fruit acidity. It was a beautiful and tasty wine. Even if at a different level than 2001 and 2002, this wine will mature quicker and satisfy many wine freaks while waiting for big vintages. Already very enjoyable (2010). 12-15 years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1999 92p

Tasted twice - last time in April 2005. Consistent notes. It acted like 1996 but seemed more closed, with pronounced oak flavor in the nose and palate. This well-composed wine with a strong backbone should be kept from being touched for ten years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1998 91p

Tasted in April 2005. Light yellow. It appeared pretty closed, somewhat tart, and marked by new oak. Nice length and structure. Like 1999, this wine should be stored in the cellar's dark corner for several years. Fine quality.

Domaine de Chevalier 1996 93p

Tasted in April 2005. Golden. The nose was massive, with an intense aroma of citrus and lemon. The palate didn't stand back and offered a big body, strong structure, and long aftertaste. This wine was sophisticated but more massive than usual and will mature slowly. I look forward to seeing you again in 10-15 years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1995 89p

Tasted twice - last time in April 2005. Not consistent notes. Yellow. This wine was closed in the nose and palate, and acidity was very well marked. Also, you must wait 8-10 years before this wine opens with goodies, and it deserves a higher rating.

Domaine de Chevalier 1994 92p

Tasted in April 2005. Golden. It had a deep nose of acacia, lemon, and citrus peel, strong and with much acidity on the palate. Also well-balanced and with a pleasant aftertaste, well-composed and stylish. Also, here we can speak about long-lived wine.

Domaine de Chevalier 1992 88p

Tasted in April 2005. Corn yellow. It was elegant and refined in the nose and palate, relatively light, and significantly forward in evolution. It can be consumed now and until 2010. Nice wine.

Domaine de Chevalier 1991 94p

Despite destructive frost in spring that year, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon had no problems during the growing season.

Tasted in April 2005. Straw yellow. The nose had incredible depth and intensity with an evident acacia aroma. Just as formidable and manifold on the palate, well structured and long. It's a wine of high class and with superb style. Give it 10-15 years horizontally.

Domaine de Chevalier 1990 90p

Tasted in April 2005. Same color as 1989, but not as evolved as 1989. It was a delicate wine with striking composition and gobs of finesse. It's the one to keep for 5-10 more years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1989 88p

Tasted in April 2005. Light yellow. It evolved in the nose and palate with the scent of pear-/peach jam, relatively light and simple. Maybe "our" bottle wasn't flawless, for I had better bottles from this vintage several times before.

Domaine de Chevalier 1988 93p

Tasted in April 2005. Pale yellow. This was a compact and robust wine with big fatness, delicate complexity, finesse, and depth on the palate. It showed exquisite cooperation between sun-ripe fruit and acidity. Deliciously tasty wine will make many wines freaks happy in the next twenty years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1987 93p

Tasted in April 2005. Light golden. It had great acacia and peach in the nose and palate and was full-bodied with many nuances, well-balanced, and superbly composed. This wine was made sublimely. I will continue like that for additional 10-12 years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1986 93p

Tasted in April 2005. Light yellow. The nose and palate possessed a very concentrated aroma of lemon budding, fresh acidity, splendid structure, and great complexity. The great length at the palate and delicate aftertaste completed this excellent wine beautifully. It has the same keeping ability as in 1987.

Domaine de Chevalier 1985 95p

Tasted five times - last time in October 2015. Consistent notes. Sunflower yellow. It was fat on the nose and palate with a strong aroma of lemon and melon. All were in a very sophisticated package with elegance and finesse. It is a delightful sip now and in the next 8-12 years. However, it still shows its young age - no significant aging since 2006.

Domaine de Chevalier 1984 93p

Tasted twice - last time in April 2014. Consistent notes. Light yellow. It had a sophisticated nose of pear, apple, and peach. The palate showed excellent structure, delicate elegance and refinement, and harmony with the long and round aftertaste. Just enjoy this pretty wine, which will last 10-12 years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1983 90p

Tasted in April 2005. Straw yellow. There was an intense and mature nose with a lemon/citrus aroma. On the light side of the palate but shows many nuances, finesse, and nice length. It is drinkable now and in the next 5-7 years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1982 94p

Tasted in April 2005. Yellow. It showed a classic young nose of apple and lemon peel, which was quite intense and was smooth and refined on the palate with excellent structure and lasting aftertaste. There was plenty of fresh acidity, which tied all things together beautifully. A magnificent and stylish wine can easily be stored in the cellar for another 10-15 years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1981 90p

Tasted in April 2005. Light golden. The nose showed well enough some age, but intensity and freshness were intact. It was well concentrated and long on the palate and had marked acidity, which didn't disturb the balance in this splendid wine. You can enjoy it now and in the next 3-5 years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1979 96p

Tasted in April 2005. Yellow. It had a deep nose of acacia flower and citrus with the scent of peach. This wine was extremely well proportioned and opulent, delicate and refined on the palate with great length. It all was just marvelously and beautifully well-composed. Here you see a terrific example of white Bordeaux art. It will easily manage to stay excellent for another ten years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1978 92p

Tasted in April 2005. Corn yellow. It reminded me of 1975, but this wine had more intensity and better structure. It appeared as tasty as in 1975. This fine wine will keep longer than in 1975. Tasted again in October 2008 - same impressions and same rating.

Domaine de Chevalier 1975 91p

Tasted twice in April 2005. Consistent notes. Paler in color than 1970. There was enough aroma of apples and pear on the nose, and the palate was concentrated with a long finish. Acidity in this wine made every attempt to get all attention, but fruit sweetness balanced it perfectly. It was superb wine to enjoy for another 4-5 years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1971 89p

Tasted three times - last time in October 2019. Not consistent notes. A splendid and energetic wine with fine acidity, corresponding fruit, and a delicate round aftertaste. Not bad for a 30+ years old white wine. That was in April 2002. Seventeen years later, this wine showed an evident touch of oxidized flavors, which indicated fading away.

Domaine de Chevalier 1970 93p

Tasted in April 2005. Golden. It offered aromatic acacia and apple, fine intensity, and depth. This wine was fat on the palate with finesse and firm structure, showing the splendid interplay between acidity and sweetness. Even if this wine was 35 years old, it was fresh as a young one and showed no sign of advanced age. Beautiful and well-crafted wine to keep for ten more years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1964 89p

Tasted in April 2014. Interesting old wine sherry flavors, well--balanced.

Domaine de Chevalier 1961 92p

Tasted in August 1990. It reminded me a lot of 1971 with the same energy. However, this wine had more concentration, more complexity, and better acidity.

Domaine de Chevalier 1951 88p.

Tasted in August 1990. An aromatic wine with lovely fruit showing some elegance. Light and tasty.

Domaine de Chevalier 1941 85p

Tasted in August 1990. Turning a bit into sherry but managing to keep some freshness.

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RED WINE

35 ha of vines growing on soil of back sand mixed with small stones on the surface. The subsoil is a blend of clay and gravel. Planted grape varieties - 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 2.5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Vines are, on average, 25 years old. Alcoholic fermentation occurs in stainless steel vats, while alcoholic fermentation occurs in wooden barrels. The wine matures in 50% new oak for 16-20 months.

Red Domaine de Chevalier is an elegant and well-balanced wine, significantly improved since the arrival of a consulting oenologist and winemaking guru Stephane Derenencourt in 2003. It now shows more refinement, richness, and sophisticated touch than before.

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Picking 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon at Domaine de Chevalier

 

Domaine de Chevalier 2022 (barrel sample) 98p 

Tasted in April 2023.  65% C. Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% C. Franc and 2% P. Verdot. 14% alcohol. Intense black- and redcurrants, chewy, mineral, concentrated, great depth and length, great complexity, and midpalate. Long and persistent aftertaste. Exceptional effort for the vintage. It’s Olivier Bernards’ 40th vintage here and will be celebrated with a special label (running horse).

Domaine de Chevalier 2021 (barrel sample) 94-95p 

Tasted twice - last time in April 2022. Consistent notes. 80% C. Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% C. Franc and 5% P. Verdot. It's the first vintage with so much C. Sauvignon in the blend. 13% alcohol. Intense black- and redcurrants, crushed rocks, coffee beans, cigar box, graphite, fresh, fine structure, and complexity. Persistent aftertaste. Splendid effort for the vintage.

Domaine de Chevalier 2020 97-98p 

Tasted twice - last time in April 2023. Consistent notes. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% alcohol. Intensely aromatic nose of classy blackcurrants, tobacco, and black winter truffle, very refined and lush on the palate, with spectacular midpalate, structure, and length. Riveting complexity. It's a stunning addition to an excellent 2018 and 2019. Maybe the 2020 vintage here will end as the best one of the trilogy! It's worth noticing that the amazing quality of this wine is reflected in the second wine L'Esprit de Chevalier 2020, which is the best vintage of this wine ever!

Domaine de Chevalier 2019  96-98p

Tasted twice - last time in February 2022. Consistent notes. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon + 30% Merlot + 5% Petit Verdot. Alcohol is only 13%. A sophisticated, intense nose of blackberries and blueberries, a classy one. Full-bodied with style on the palate with excellent structure, complexity, and length. Petit Verdot supports some graphite, a scent of red meat on the palate from Cabernet Sauvignon, lush black fruit from Merlot, and a strong backbone. The fruit cooperates perfectly with sweet-and-grained tannin. Great sophisticated touch and excellent length with a strong finish. Possibly the best vintage for red wine at Domaine de Chevalier yet? 

Domaine de Chevalier 2018 97p

Tasted three times - last time in December 2020. Consistent notes. When I visited this property on the last day of the 2018 harvest in October, Olivier Bernard told me - "Izak, this is the best vintage of my life!". The barrel sample of 2018 confirmed his words - it's the best red Domaine de Chevalier under his reign I've ever tasted. Many freshness, sweetness-filled ripe blackcurrants, silky tannin, and Cabernet Sauvignon shined through with grilled bacon flavor, graphite, and tobacco leaves. Very precise and focused. There's a lot of refinement and sophisticated touch here. Long finish. Same impression in September 2019 when retasted. Nothing changed when tasted in December 2020, this time from the bottle. Beautiful effort!

Domaine de Chevalier 2017 (barrel sample) 94-95p

Tasted three times - last time in October 2018. Consistent notes. It showed a lot of elegance, finesse, minerality, and fine acidity. Great effort for the vintage.

Domaine de Chevalier 2016 95-96p

Tasted twice - last time in October 2018. Consistent notes. This wine excelled in 2015 regarding complexity, length, intensity, and power, and it was distinguished and silky. Looks like a twin brother of 2010 to me.

Domaine de Chevalier 2015 95p

Tasted three times - last time in October 2018. Consistent notes. It had splendid fruit and acidity, silky fruit and tannin, great complexity, and a long finish.

Domaine de Chevalier 2014 94p

Tasted four times - last time in October 2018. Consistent notes. Impressive stuff, very cherry, powerful with a strong backbone. Fine acidity and well-structured. Superb balance.

Domaine de Chevalier 2013 (barrel sample) 91-92p

Tasted twice - last time in April 2014. Consistent notes. This wine showed silky fruit and tannin, dark aromatic fruit, fine acidity, and a fruity finish. Light texture. Very good for the vintage.

Domaine de Chevalier 2012 (barrel sample) 93+p

Tasted in April 2013. Massive on the palate with a considerable amount of fruit and tannin, strong structure. Oaky and intense nose. Refined. Splendid effort for the vintage.

Domaine de Chevalier 2011 92p

Tasted three times - last time in September 2014. Consistent notes. It had an intense nose with oak and black fruit, splendid depth and length, firm structure, meaty texture, and smooth aftertaste.

Domaine de Chevalier 2010 94+p

Tasted six times - last time in September 2019. Consistent notes. This wine had fresh chocolate and cocoa powder, blackberries, beautifully balanced, excellent acidity and length, and a persistent finish. A tremendous effort for the vintage.

Domaine de Chevalier 2009 94p

Tasted four times - last time in April 2012. Consistent notes. A teenager with a lot of energy and youthfulness. It had an intense and aromatic nose with black cherries and blackcurrants, splendid depth and length, smooth and long aftertaste. Excellent effort for the vintage.

Domaine de Chevalier 2008 93p

Tasted nine times - last time in April 2012. Consistent notes. Harvest finished on the 25th of October(!!), 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot. Petit Verdot was ripe before Cabernet Sauvignon (!!). Intense and aromatic on the nose with black cherries and blackcurrants, splendid depth and length, and smooth aftertaste. Terrific effort for the vintage.

Domaine de Chevalier 2007 89p

Tasted nine times - last time in September 2013. Consistent notes. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon + 30% Merlot + 5% Cabernet Franc + 5% Petit Verdot. Harvest finished in mid-October with excellent quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Olivier Bernard was supposed to harvest on the 6-8 October but took a risk and waited until the 15th of October. It'd paid off! It's an elegant wine with silky cherry/raspberry fruit and silky tannins; very tasty and enjoyable. A one to enjoy while we wait for the big vintages to become mature.

Domaine de Chevalier 2006 91p

Tasted six times - last time in April 2012. Consistent notes. This wine was pretty fine with catching the aroma of black cherries and blackcurrants, full-bodied and well-structured, and delicate length on the palate.

Domaine de Chevalier 2005 95p

Tasted six times - last time in April 2012. Consistent notes. It showed a catchy and aromatic nose of black cherries, delightful sweetness on the palate, pure elegance, and finesse. Rich, subtle, and sublime wine. Yummy!

Domaine de Chevalier 2004 92p

Tasted eight times - last time in April 2014. Consistent notes. Black red. A fresh scent of black fruit on the nose, sappy and succulent on the palate, with many nuances, splendid structure, and impeccably balanced. Superb wine, stylish, and very classy.

Domaine de Chevalier 2003 92p

Tasted four times - last time in April 2012. Not consistent notes. Black red. Very tight and robust structure, very ripe fruit with a touch of heat/baked flavor, and was very harmonious on the palate. A bit atypical for the property, but this wine is superb quality. In April 2012, this wine had a lovely showing without heated and baked flavors.

Domaine de Chevalier 2002 90p

Tasted five times - last time in April 2012. Consistent notes. An aroma of cinnamon and red fruit, elegant with finesse on the palate, excellent quality of fruit and tannin with no trace of sharp edges, and well-balanced. A slight dryness in the fruit and aftertaste.

Domaine de Chevalier 2001 91p

Tasted four times - last time in June 2014. Not consistent notes. Black red, very aromatic on the nose with bacon, vanilla, tight structure, deep, complex, and long with a delicate balance. An incredibly catchy wine with style and class. In April 2012, it didn't show too well, with a subdued nose and light texture. Better bottle in June 2014.

Domaine de Chevalier 2000 94p

Tasted three times - last time in September 2013. Consistent notes. Very complex and full of finesse. Intense aromas of black cherries, blueberries and blackberries, and blackcurrants too. Concentrated with lovely structure and depth. Superb balance. Excellent wine, indeed.

Domaine de Chevalier 1999 87p

Tasted in April 2012. The fruit could be riper; the palate has noticeable dryness and a short finish.

Domaine de Chevalier 1998 93p

Tasted in April 2012. Aromatic, truffles, lovely on the nose. Deliciously ripe fruit, ripe tannin, superb balance., and caressing aftertaste. A very seductive wine.

Domaine de Chevalier 1996 87p

Tasted in April 2012. Similar to 1999.

Domaine de Chevalier 1995 90p

Tasted in April 2012. Very much forward in maturity with very nice and tasty fruit, well-balanced, soft and ripe tannin, and soft finish.

Domaine de Chevalier 1990 91p

Tasted twice - last time in April 2012. Not consistent notes. In 2010, truffles, an excellent and subtle nose with great cherry/tobacco aroma, a lovely palate with firm but smooth tannins and grip. Well-made. In April 2012, a lighter appearance.

Domaine de Chevalier 1989 92p

Tasted in April 2012. Delicate matured fruit, exquisite and softly textured. Fine balance and velvety aftertaste.

Domaine de Chevalier 1988 90p

Tasted twice - last time in April 2012. Consistent notes. Mocha on the nose with delicate fruit and fine balance. Fine structure and smooth finish.

Domaine de Chevalier 1986 87p

TI tastedin April 2012. Red-brown color. Pleasant on the nose with matured fruit, nice balance. It peaked several years ago.

Domaine de Chevalier 1985 88p

Tasted twice - last time in April 2012. Consistent notes. Elegant, supple with ripe matured fruit, nice balance, and soft aftertaste.

Domaine de Chevalier 1984 89p

Tasted twice - last time in April 2012. Consistent notes. I opened this bottle in November 2011, fearing dead and buried wine, but what a surprise! 27 years old wine in a vintage hampered by lousy spring and not that much sunshine. Despite that, one can make a lovely wine if one is a gifted and clever winemaker. Kudos to Claude Ricard, who pulled strings then and was called the master of off-vintages. In April 2012, at the property, it was still alive, deliciously drinkable, round, and charming wine with good maturity of fruit and good balance.

Domaine de Chevalier 1983 88p

Tasted in April 2012. Not unlike 1985, with slight dryness on the finish.

Domaine de Chevalier 1975 89p

Tasted in April 2005. Hot fruit but well in balance. I think this wine is quickly beginning to show its age.

Domaine de Chevalier 1971 93p

Tasted in October 2019. Cherries. This wine holds everything together just fine, complex, stylish, and well-made to last for at least ten more years. 

Domaine de Chevalier 1970 88p

Tasted in August 1990. Ripe fruit on the nose and palate, fine intensity, slight taste of prunes but well-made with lovely balance and aftertaste.

Domaine de Chevalier 1968 86p

Tasted in October 2008. Pleasant surprise. Light wine but still some fruit left, nice balance and round on the palate. Drinkable. Terrific effort for this catastrophic vintage.

Domaine de Chevalier 1966 92p

TI tastedin April 2016. A tight and mineral wine, still showing considerable fruit.

Domaine de Chevalier 1964 93p

Tasted in April 2004. This property was one of the very few which harvested before damaging rain struck during the harvest. Red-brown. Ripe berries in excellent and tasty form, elegant with finesse and lovely balance. Gorgeous wine, which is so perfectly drinkable now.

Domaine de Chevalier 1961 92p

Tasted in April 2002. Still young and still needs to develop fully. Lovely structure, splendidly balanced and full-bodied. Rich and long on the palate. What a treat! It will easily last for another ten years.

Domaine de Chevalier 1960 90p

Tasted in August 1990. Red-brown. Well-preserved fruit and tannin, round, prunes, charming. Still alive.

Domaine de Chevalier 1959 94p

Tasted in March 2009. Dark red. A tight and robust wine with formidable structure, balance, and length. Ripe fruit and ripe tannins. Great bottle to taste!

Domaine de Chevalier 1955 96p

Tasted in April 2005. Simply outstanding 50 years old wine with delicious fruit, incredible balance, a lot of finesse, and sophisticated touch. This gorgeous wine still has so much to offer.

Domaine de Chevalier 1940 92p

Tasted in August 1990. Mid-red, brown edge. Pretty nose and palate of well-preserved prunes, light with finesse, pleasant and seductive. Splendid old wine.

Domaine de Chevalier 1928 95p

Tasted twice - last time in October 2008. Not consistent notes. In March 2008, it was an astonishingly well-preserved old wine, vivid, impeccably balanced, full-bodied with deep structure, tasty berries, and splendid length. Sophisticated. 80 years old heartbreaker! Wow! (98p). In October 2008, it tasted older and shorter. (92p).

 

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