News from Domaine de Chevalier

The Domaine de Chevalier chooses technological cork

10 years ago, we started experimenting technological cork. 

At first we implemented this solution with rosés, then l’Esprit de Chevalier, Domaine de La Solitude, Château Lespault Martillac, Clos des Lunes, Château Suau (2nd Cru Classé Barsac…).

A few thousand bottles in the first place, and then due to the success, the number quickly increased. 

In the past 10 years, we did not receive any negative feedback on this corking system.

Through all the comparative wine tasting, results have always been in favor of technological cork :

• excellent organoleptic regularity

•  T.C.A taint free ("cork taint"), no sensorial deviations
• absence of premature oxidation phenomenon that may affect white wines

 

So, we decided to extend technological cork to our “Grands Vins”.

We did so, last year, with 100 % of the Domaine de Chevalier Blanc for the 2015 vintage. And this year with with the Domaine de Chevalier Rouge and Blanc 2016 (Diam 30)

Olivier BERNARD

ESPRIT de CHEVALIER Blanc 2013, Wine rating by The Wine Gang *

ESPRIT de CHEVALIER Blanc 2013
Wine rating by The Wine Gang *

90

Domaine de Chevalier Esprit de Chevalier Blanc 2013
Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, Dry White (Cork), 13.0% abv

Made from equal parts of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon by one of Bordeaux' best exponents of the Pessac-Léognan style, this second wine from Domaine de Chevalier is sumptuously aromatic and fruity showing a lively grapefuity zestiness and a deliciously nutty oak-derived dry finish that twists around and teasingly snaps and bites at your tongue.

Goes with: ChickenFish and seafood Salads and vegetable dishes Smoked fish

http://thewinegang.com/

* :  Joanna Simon, Jane Parkinson, Anthony Rose, Tom Cannavan, David Williams 

Domaine de Chevalier 2010, by Neal MARTIN. Red: 95 ; White: 93

In turn, Neal Martin published his comments and tasting notes about the 2010 vintage in the Wine Adovocate.

He tasted Domaine de Chevalier, Esprit de Chevalier and château Lespault-Martillac.

2010 Domaine de Chevalier: 95
Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru and at the chateau. The Domaine de Chevalier has a well-defined bouquet that demands coaxing from the glass. It is a shy little thing, most likely due to bottling, but it unfurls in the glass to offer intense dark cherry, bilberry, cedar and melted tar. It is extremely well defined as if you could pick out the thread of  each scent one by one. The palate is medium-bodied with blackberry, tapenade and cedar. It is crisp and nicely focused on the finish, compact and tensile, certainly a Domaine de Chevalier that will require far more bottle age than the 2009. Excellent. Tasted November 2012.
 
2010 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc: 93
Tasted at the UGC and at the property, the Domaine de Chevalier Blanc has a very refined bouquet with hints of lemon curd, apple blossom and a touch of French patisserie. There is still a little oak to be integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine balance, perfectly pitched acidity and subtle notes of apple blossom and white truffle. This is a very suave white Graves, complex and cerebral with a long, slightly nutty/smoky finish. Tasted November 2012.

2010 Esprit de Chevalier: 88
Tasted at the estate, the Esprit de Chevalier has a bright, lively nose. Not complex, but quite compact with dark cherry and bilberry, hints of crushed violets emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. It is a gawky adolescent at the moment, but there is a nice soft, perhaps slightly attenuated finish that is fresh, with an herbaceous, bell pepper aftertaste. Tasted November 2012.

2010 Esprit de Chevalier Blanc: 89
This was tasted at the estate. I must say, I really like this nose. It bounds from the glass like a yapping puppy with crisp lime flower, apricot and hazelnut notes that are fresh and defined. The palate is medium-bodied, reticent on the entry, nice ‘n taut with hints of white chocolate and citrus peel. It loses a little momentum towards the finish but it constitutes a very attractive Pessac white. Tasted November 2012.

2010 Chateau Lespault-Martillac: 90
Tasted at Domaine de Chevalier. This has a little gem of a nose: bright and lively with dark cherries and dark plums, hints of lavender and pot pourri emerging with time. There is still a little vanillary oak to be resolved but it is nicely defined. The palate is medium-bodied and not quite as engaging as the aromatics, but that would be mean. It is nicely balanced, supple and silky smooth with a joyful finish that curiously reminds me of a Saint Emilion rather than Graves! Still, this is a highly enjoyable wine from Olivier Bernard. Tasted November 2012.

2010 Chateau Lespault-Martillac Blanc: 89
Tasted at Domaine de Chevalier. The white Lespault-Martillac has an attractive nose of white peach and limestone scents, although it feels just a little muted at this moment. The palate is fresh with sliced pear, green apple and a hint of passion fruit on the entry. The acidity it crisp and taut with a fine, slightly abrupt finish. Tasted November 2012.

 

Esprit de Chevalier Blanc 2009, Simon Staples's comment...

On Berry Bros and Rudd's' website:

This is the second wine of the most famous of white Bordeaux and exudes fresh and zingy tropical fruit with soft creamy oak on the nose, followed by an exotic, yet steely and mineral finish which really pays homage to the famous Grand Vin. Drink from next summer.
(Simon Staples, Sales & Marketing Director)

Beijing : Esprit de Chevalier and Adrien Bernard on the walls...

On the occasion of wine fairs in Beijing, Esprit de Chevalier and Adrien Bernard (our Brand Ambassador in Asia) are displayed on the walls of Beijing.

WINE ENTHUSIAST : Domaine de Chevalier, Esprit de Chevalier White 2007

Roger Voss 

97 DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER 2007 :

Wonderfully aromatic, this white wine offers richness, ripeness and pure yellow fruits - peaches, and apricots- alongside a more severe strain of minerality or chalkiness. It is a wine meant for a long aging, the wood spice just becoming integrated, the fruit still in its first  vibrancy. But even now, it fills the mouth with generous fruits and a  great finish of lemon juice fruits and an great finish of lemon juice. Cellar Selection.

91 ESPRIT DE CHEVALIER 2007 :

Chevalier's second white wine reflects some of the glory of the first. It has a Sauvignon-dominated flavor, certainly with herbaceousness. But the fruit is ripe, full in the mouth, a teasing combination of green fruits, kiwi fruit and wonderfull juiciness. With its edge of minerality, it could age for 2-3 years.

Le Wine Spectator note Domaine de Chevalier 2008 primeur

• DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER Pessac-Léognan Red 2008 Score: 90-93

Very perfumed, with sweet tobacco and dark fruits. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. Racy and beautiful. Very fine. —J.S.

• DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER Pessac-Léognan White 2008 Score: 91-94

Very appley and melony, with hints of lemon and honey. Full-bodied, with very crisp, bright acidity and notes of green apple. Superlively and minerally.
Tight and racy. Powerful. —J.S.

• L'ESPRIT DE CHEVALIER Pessac-Léognan White 2008 Score: 86-89

Very fresh and clean, with mineral and apple and a hint of melon. Medium- to full-bodied, with very tangy acidity. —J.S.

• CHÂTEAU GUIRAUD Sauternes 2008 Score: 91-94

This shows wonderful spicy botrytis, tarte Tatin and dried pineapple aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with lots of spicy and sweet character.
 Long and flavorful. Very fine and beautiful. —J.S.