News from Domaine de Chevalier

Wall Street Journal : Bordeaux 2011, Choose Carefully...

 

Just returned from a week in Bordeaux tasting Bordeaux En Primeurs 2011, Will Lyons writes today in Wall Street Journal :

"They can build the most sophisticated, technologically advanced wineries in the world, match them with immaculate, temperate cellars, and employ the most talented winemakers of a generation. But behind the neoclassical facades of Bordeaux's spectacular châteaux, the Bordelais understand that however much attention to detail they lavish on their vines, they cannot control mother nature..."Read the article

His Selection :

Sublime :

Châteaux that have made very good wines this year.

• Château Lafite Rothschild, 1er Cru Classe, Pauillac

• Château L'Evangile, Pomerol

• Château Ausone, 1er Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Émilion

• Château Palmer, 3eme Cru Classe, | Margaux

• Château Le Tertre Rôteboeuf, Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Émilion

• Château Lafleur, Pomerol

• Château Lynch-Bages, 5er Cru Classe, Pauillac

• Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol

• Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Cru Classe, Graves (White)

• Pavilion Blanc, Château Margaux, Margaux (White)

• Château d'Yquem, Sauternes

Good :

Châteaux that have produced wines of an above-average quality in 2011.

• Château Mouton-Rothschild, 1er Cru Classe, Pauillac

• Château Pichon – Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande 2eme Cru Classe, Pauillac

• Château Pichon – Longueville Baron, 2eme Cru Classe, Pauillac

• Château Léoville-Las-Cases, 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien

• Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien

• Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac

• Château Léoville-Barton, 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien

• Château Pontet-Canet, 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac

• Château Clerc-Milon, 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac

• Château Haut-Brion, 1er Cru Classe, Pessac-Léognan

• Domaine de Chevalier, Cru Classe, Graves

• Le Pin, Pomerol

Jancis Robinson, about 2001 and 2002 vintages

On the website of Jancis Robinson, 28 March 2012 :

• Bordeaux 2002 at 10 years old :

Domaine de Chevalier 2002 Pessac-Léognan 17 Drink 2011-2025
This price does seem ridiculous for a landmark property. Not concentrated ruby. Light admittedly but very delicate and refreshing and could only be made in Bordeaux, Utterly swallowable. So lively – though be warned, it is light and flirtatious but very appetising. VGV

• Bordeaux 2001 gets better and better (29 March 2012) :

Domaine de Chevalier 2001 Pessac-Léognan 17 Drink 2010-2024
Lovely cedary nose. Dry and correct. Lots of evolution already but the track record suggests it will have a long life too. Mint fresh, very long. More evolved and definitely lighter than most. Classic claret.