2014 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER CRU CLASSÉ PESSAC-LÉOGNAN - 6x75cl

Tasting Notes

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  Goedhuis, April 2015,
  Score: 91-93

  I started the week tasting this as my first Cru Classé and I finished the week tasting it; on both occasions it really impressed. Lovely sweet loganberry aromas, this is a rich and concentrated wine, with good levels of intensity aided by its tightly integrated tannins. Lots of charm and sweetness on the finish. A very rewarding wine.

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  Neal Martin, April 2015,
  Score: 92-94

  The Domaine de Chevalier 2014 is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 30% Merlot. It has a fragrant bouquet with blackberry, black plum, cigar ash and woodland scents, complex though not as intense as its white counterpart. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy, quite firm tannin that underpin a classic Domaine de Chevalier that has just the right amount of austerity at this stage. Reserved perhaps, but it is beautifully knitted together with a lovely bay leaf tinged finish. Quintessential Domaine de Chevalier...which is what we all want.

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  Antonio Galloni, April 2015,
  Score: 92-95

  The 2014 Domaine de Chevalier is stunningly beautiful. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, spice and leather are all supported by veins of underlying acidity and minerality. Sweet floral and spice notes continue to open up over time, but it is the wine's imposing structure that stands out most. Readers will need to be especially patient here, as the domaine's wines are typically very slow to mature. That is especially like to be the case with the 2014, as the tannins are quite imposing at this stage. The 2014 is going to need a considerable amount of time. The only question is how much. I expect the 2014 will still be magnificent at age thirty and likely beyond. The 2014 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot that spent approximately 35 days on the skins. Olivier Bernard adds that the Merlots were brought in between October 10 and 17, which is quite late by the domaine's standards.

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  James Suckling, March 2015,
  Score: 93-94

  Very dense and beautiful with chocolate, currants and spices. Walnut and hazelnut character too. Full body, silky tannins and a long finish. Balanced and fine.

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  Decanter, April 2015,
  Score: 94

  Rich and silky in texture and great sense of controlled power on the attack. Love the balance here, they have extracted more than some, but with great control and this gives very promising hints of how it will develop over the next decade. The restraint that comes with the tannins is apparent, this is an excellent wine from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% permit verdot, 13.5%abv. Harvested up to October 17 and only started on October 1, so really made the most of the fine late autumn weather. Drink: 2023-2040

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  Matthew Jukes, May 2015,
  Score: 17++

  Very smart depth and quite robust and solid, this is a big lump of a wine which has yet to show any juicy fruit, but it will be there in time judging by the intensity of flavour.

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  Jancis Robinson, April 2015,
  Score: 17.5

  Particularly dark crimson. Intense nose. Quite thick and dense. Then soft and beguiling on the palate. Unusually low in acidity! Quite luscious. And a cool finish. Complete. Drink 2022-2036

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  Wine Spectator, April 2015,
  Score: 90-93

  Tightly focused, with red currant, bergamot, Campari and sandalwood notes woven together and carrying through the well-polished finish. Has a noticeable twinge of singed wood and sweet earth at the end. A touch more backward than most of the Pessac pack right now.

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Producer

Domaine de Chevalier

Known for its exquisite Graves finesse, this property has been owned by Olivier Bernard since 1983. Consulting oenologist, Stéphane Dérononcourt was hired some years back which has contributed to the fresh and clean style. Meticulous parcel selection enables their grand vin to be the best representation of their impressive terroir.