A secret garden in the Graves
Deep and brilliant ruby color. Intense nose of great wine. Fine and complex with outstanding purity of red ripe fruits.
Spicy (pepper) and mineral (very typical graphite notes).
Full mouth, very precise, chiseled fine tannins, coated with delicate fruity and crisp flesh.
The balance is impeccable. The wine is energetic, very clear with long finish.
Enjoy on the crisp of its youth.
Drink 2018-2023
Many thanks to the Faculté d'Œnologie de Bordeaux. www.oenologie.u-bordeaux2.fr
The technical sheet and the vintage, described by Domaine de Chevalier
90-92
...the total production was less than half of normal. The wine achieved 13% natural alcohol, but yields were frightfully low. The result is an outstanding effort in this frequently disappointing, average quality vintage. The wine possesses a deep plum/ruby color as well as a sweet bouquet of incense, charcoal, red and black currants, and loamy soil. Medium-bodied with good texture, depth and purity, sweet tannins, and present but unobtrusive acidity, it should drink nicely for 12-15 years. Once again, it proves that Domaine de Chevalier often accomplishes impressive things in so-called “off” vintages.
(91-94) pts Domaine de Chevalier 2013
Drinking window:
Graphite, smoke, plums and violets meld together in the 2013 Domaine de Chevalier. One of the most impressive wines of the year, the 2013 stands out for its energy, delineation and brilliant textural balance. With a little time in the glass, the 2013 opens up beautifully, showing off its multi-faceted personality. What a gorgeous wine this is. Violets, sage and new leather add the final layers of complexity to what is easily one of the wines of the vintage. The 2013 has been striking the three times I have tasted it. In 2013, the blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.
Wine Tasted: April 2014. Antonio Galloni, April 2014.
© 2013 Vinous Media
Domaine de Chevalier 2013 Red 91–93.
Barrel Sample. This is a richly textured wine, with powerful wood tannins that are balanced by the rich fruits. It is dense and full of blackberry flavor, finishing with juicy, fresh acidity. — Roger Voss
92-94
Not only is Domaine de Chevalier the best value wine in Pessac-Léognan these days, it is now becoming one of the best of all. A property on the rise - one to watch. This year it is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Deep ruby in colour. It has a dense nose of dark chocolate and black cherry fruit. There is an attractive sweetness to the fruit on the palate, ripe mulberries and cherries shine through. There is structure from fine grained tannins and balancing acidity. The finish has a touch of toast from oak that is in balanced with the core of ripe fruit. Exceptionally good for the vintage.
17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Superb colour, lovely cassis black fruits nose, rich smoothness on the palate with Chevalier tobacco leaf hints, elegantly exuberant in 2013.
Drink: 2017-2028
2013 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER: 92
Lovely red that is precocious and open. Supple and luscious with great accessibility and filled with blackberry fruit. This is a successful vintage for Domaine de Chevalier in a very difficult year. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot. The tannin texture is fine with good intensity and concentration. Wait at least 4-5 years before approaching this focused red.
Ready to drink : 2018+
17+ Drink 2017-2029
Beautifully ripe, modern cassis character. Creamy texture, smooth and aromatic. A well-judged leafy element, firm but not impenetrable tannins, and refreshing acid. Comparatively light, but has convincing enough flavour and balance. (Richard Hemming)
91-92
Spice and tobacco character with berry and coffee undertones. Medium to full body, silky tannins. Seamless and integrated for the vintage.
16.5/20
Simply delicious! Apart from D’Yquem this got my joint highest score of the week. Where a large amount of Chateaux seemed to have missed the core out of their wines this is almost showing off with its abundance of soft, succulent juicy ripe black and red fruits. Creamy, soft, perfumed with beautifully refined tannins that melt in the mouth. A bit like its fellow Pessac, Haut Bailly, Domaine de Chevalier has a distinctive elegant house style that you once you get hooked you just can’t wean yourself off it. I have bought every vintage since 2005 and this will be no exception.
Simon Staples - Asia Sales Director