Domaine de Chevalier rouge

Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2009 :95
February 2012

"In late 2011, I had the last bottle in my cellar of the 1970 Domaine de Chevalier. Much to my surprise, it was still holding on to life and remained gorgeously complex in that ethereal Graves style. The 2009, one of the finest Domaine de Chevaliers yet produced, reveals a striking bouquet of burning embers, sweet cherry, black and red currant fruit, spice box, cedar and lead pencil shavings. The tannins are sweet in this fleshy, full-bodied offering. It is built on the notion of extraordinary harmony, elegance and complexity. While not the most concentrated or flamboyant 2009, its intense aromas are already reasonably evolved and its lusciousness and balance are terrific. Made from an interesting blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, its yields of 45 hectoliters per hectare were slightly higher than many of its neighbors achieved. Drink it over the next 25 years." 95

Domaine de Chevalier. Score 97

Aromas of blueberries and lemon rind. Full body, with soft and velvety tannins and bright fruity finish. Refined and beautiful. Layered wine. Pure fruit. Gravelley. Stoney. So classy and complex. Try in 2020.

http://www.jamessuckling.com

Very rich, but sleek and pure, with beautiful mouthfeel and layers of enticing fig, steeped blackberry and warm currant confiture nicely stitched with black tea and mesquite. The long finish has a tarry underlay, but stays polished. Approachable for its mouthfeel, but has the balance to age nicely. Drink now through 2025. Score 93 –JM

Issue Mar 31, 2012
http://www.winespectator.

Domaine de Chevalier, Cru Classe Graves, Pessac-Leognan 2009

Black red, fine intensity of fragrant Cabernet fruit, touch of wild roses, concentrated yet already showing potential complexity, beautifully expressed palate with density and fragrance and a taffeta aspect that adds lift to its succulent elegance and class. Drink 2015-30. (18 points)

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate)

Domaine de Chevalier Primeur 2009 Red : 94-96*

"The finest wine I have tasted from this estate in my 30+ year career, the 2009 (64-pourcent- Cabemet Sauvignon, 30-pourcent- Merlot, and 6-pourcent- Petit Verdot) from this hallowed vineyard in Leognan was cropped at 45 hectoliters per hectare and came in at 13-pourcent- alcohol. It reveals an extraordinary, intense, pure, quintessential Domaine de Chevalier style, including silky tannin, dense plum, black currant, black cherry, floral, and graphite notes, terrific acidity, sweet tannin, and a full-bodied mouthfeel with no weight, but admirable precision and freshness. Consultant stephane Derenoncourt has coaxed out all the elegance and complexity at this great site. A future legend in the making, this could be the best Domaine de Chevalier produced over the last half century. It should drink well for 35-40 years.
(Tasted four times.)"
Readers will note an asterisk (*) after some wine scores. I added this to signify when I thought a wine had the finest potential of all the offerings I had ever tasted from that estate in nearly 32 years of barrel tasting samples in Bordeaux.

Unusually for a classed growth bordeaux, the back label tells us this blend is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot. Bravo ! Such a comfortable pair of old slippers on the nose ! By which I don’t mean sweaty or malodorous but so relaxed. Sweet and rich but not heavy. Pure pleasure and already easy to enjoy - dangerously so.
2014 - 2030

13 Jul 2014
http://www.jancisrobinson.com

Domaine de Chevalier had intense and aromatic on the nose with black cherries and blackburrants, splendid depth and length, smooth aftertaste. Terrific effort for the vintage.

91 - 93-plus- Excellent richness with fine structure, showing some appealing chocolate notes even this young and a fresh finish
_

2009 restera sans doute comme l’une des réussites majeures de Chevalier. Le nez frôle la perfection : complexité incroyable, grand fruit mûr, minéralité subtile, boisé très intégré. La bouche est à la hauteur avec une texture complète, savoureuse, dense, une finale exceptionnellement longue et fraîche. Très gros potentiel. Note : 18.5
Apogée : de 2015 à 2030

http://www.bettanedesseauve.com/

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Domaine de Chevalier ‘09 has a very refined, very pure, almost understated nose that blossoms with aeration. There is wonderful delineation and precision here, although none of the dials are turned up to max. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe, silky smooth tannins and a delightful citrus fresh finish. Superb. Tasted January 2013.

Wine Journal
Jul 2013
http://www.erobertparker.com/

From a half bottle. Nearly black in the glass, certainly a darker hue. The aromatics here are a turbocharged version of what has come before ; there is the same dark and spicy fruit, but the volume is turned right up, and alongside there are notes of coffee grounds and liquorice. This is amazing wine ! The palate is hugely concentrated, brimming with dark Cabernet fruit skins, yet it still holds onto a feeling of freshness and light. remarkable texture and confidence. A fabulous wine. From a 2014 Update. 18/20 (June 2014)

http://www.thewinedoctor.com/