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.
Comments