News from Domaine de Chevalier

James Suckling: "2014 vintage is one of the biggest surprises of my carreer..."

"Bordeaux’s 2014 vintage is one of the biggest surprises of my 34-year career" writes James SUCKLING in his report:

BORDEAUX ROARS BACK TO RELEVANCE (AND EXCELLENCE) WITH THE 2014 VINTAGE

Monday, February 13, 2017

" The reds show harmony and finesse with solid cores of fruit and extremely polished tannins. There are no cabernet and merlot-based wines in the world with similar refinement and tension.."

• DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER  BLANC 2014:

98 "This is so solid and structured. It’s bigger and better than most 2014s! What a wine. Full body with flavors of stones, dried apples and pears. Goes on for minutes. Yes man!"

• DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER 2014:

94 "Anyone who says that the 2014s aren’t elegant needs to taste this beautifully balanced wine. Ripe redcurrant and delicate herbal aromas with just a hint of spicy oak on the nose precede a fresh, medium-bodied palate with underplayed power and a lot of subtle nuances on the long finish."

Domaine de Chevalier 2014: new tasting comment and score by Antonio Galloni

BY ANTONIO GALLONI | FEBRUARY 2, 2017

I was deeply impressed with these wines from Domaine de Chevalier. The red has a slight upper hand in 2014, but both wines are distinctive and full of character. Olivier Bernard owns one of the crown jewels of Bordeaux, as these wines clearly make evident.

Domaine de Chevalier rouge 2014:

The 2014 Domaine de Chevalier is a total knockout. Precise, brilliant and finely sculpted, the 2014 possesses superb intensity. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet red berries, along with finessed but persistent tannins, give the wine its regal personality. The 2014 needs a number of years to shed some baby fat and develop the full breadth of its aromatics, but it is a fabulous wine by any measure. The 2014 is 65 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Merlot and 5 % Petit Verdot that spent approximately 35 days on the skins. Olivier Bernard noted that the Merlots were brought in between October 10 and 17, which is quite late by the domaine's standards. Tasted two times. 96  (2024-2044) (Feb. 2017) [Note En Primeur April 2015: 92-95]

Domaine de Chevalier blanc 2014:

The 2014 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc comes across as very young and in need of cellaring. Then again, that's the way it is in most vintages with the Blanc. White flowers, mint and orchard fruit are some of the signatures. In 2014, the Blanc is a wine of power, texture and depth, some of which is found in place of the brighter, more citrus-driven character found in other vintages. In 2014, the blend is 70 % Sauvignon Blanc and 30 % Sémillon. Tasted two times. 94 94 [Note En Primeur April 2015: 91-94]

Domaine de Chevalier recent whites, James Suckling's blog

MINI-VERTICAL OF DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER'S RECENT FIVE WHITES

October 2nd, 2015

"Domaine de Chevalier, a jewel nestled deep in the pine trees of Bordeaux's Pessac-Léognan, has a long history of producing age-worthy reds and whites. Both show incredible depth of fruit and unique character from the stony soil of the vineyards that span across 45 hectares in Graves. 

Many of the reds from the 1950s and 1960s are still excellent now, and its recent vintages seem to hark back to the halcyon days of great winemaking from this estate. In fact, the past eight or nine years could be the best vintages ever from here, says James. Its humble red from the  2013 vintage reminds James of their wines from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s – vintages that could compete with the classic Graves such as Haut-Brion or La Mission Haut-Brion.

Its 2012 red, for instance, shows outstanding aging potential and its latest2014 vintage is already balanced and fine when James tasted it from barrel this year.

But what truly made this winery a world-class estate and a fixture on most wine aficionados’ and collectors’ list is invariably its whites. A blend of semilion and sauvignon blanc, the wines often fetch lofty prices at auctions along with top names such as Haut Brion Blanc and La Mission Haut Brion Blanc. And it ages incredibly well.

Its 2010 blanc is a near perfect wine that shows amazing density and character. One would imagine its 2011 vintage would be hard to compete with the previous year, especiall given the difficult growing season in Bordeaux, its 2011 blanc, however, turns out to be phenomenal quality and is one of the top Bordeaux 2014 releases rated by James. In fact, the success of the vintage for the wine illustrates how great 2011 is for dry white Bordeaux as James wrote earlier, calling it “a year to buy white wines from Bordeaux”. The wine is on pour at our Great Wines of the World event in Hong Kong on November 5 at Four Seasons Hotel. This is your chance to taste the pinnacle of Bordeaux white, get your ticket here. 

One thing that impresses James about the chateau's whites is their complexity that is often seen in reds, but rarely in whites. Its 2012 blanc reminds James of the complex character found in a Pessac-Léognan red, and its 2013 blanc has more weight than the reds made in 2013, says James. Its latest 2014 blanc is another stellar wine, dense and mascular with layers of fruit as James comments in the tasting note.

The Bernard family, who purchased the winery in 1983, have everything to do with the sucess of the chateau and with the stellar whites and reds vintage after vintage, they are one of the best winemakers in Bordeaux right now. Below are five whites from 2010 to 2014, ranked by score; click on the names for notes and scores. Natalie Wang, managing editor JamesSuckling.com"

Domaine de Chevalier blanc 2014 :  A solid and muscular Domaine de Chevalier with layers of fruit. Very dense, loads of flavor. Full body, bright acidity and a long, long finish. Tangy acidity. It lasts for minutes. 95-96 (March 27th, 2015)

Domaine de Chevalier blanc 2013 : This white is so dense and powerful, with a finish that lasts for minutes. Pear, lemon, grapefruit and loads of minerals. Has more weight than all the red wines made in 2013. Full body. Profound depth. I look forward to tasting this from bottle in a few years. 97-98 (April 4th, 2014)

Domaine de Chevalier blanc 2012 : This is very tender and pretty with very fine elements. Dried lemons, minerals and lilac as well as character of oyster shell and iodine. Full body, yet refined and long. You normally see this sort complex character in reds from Pessac-Leognan. Fascinating young white. 95 (November 14th, 2013)

Domaine de Chevalier blanc 2011 : Amazing nose of dried fruits from peaches to apples to mangos. Pink grapefruit too. Full and very powerful white with an incredible length and intensity. It's like a beautiful block of velvet in your mouth. It goes on for minutes. It becomes so mineraly and subtly fruity at the end. Turns just to honey. Wow 97-98 (April 1st, 2012)

Domaine de Chevalier blanc 2010 : A white with a phenomenal density and richness with creme brulee, apple pie and pear tart character. It's so agile and balanced. Full body, with tangy fruit and a long finish. Crazy intensity and style to this. Speechless. Best dry white from here. Try in 2018. 99  (November 14th, 2013)

Rosé de Chevalier 2014, recommended by the Washington Post

Many thanks to Dave McIntyre wine columnist for the Washington Post, who selected "5 Wines Perfect for the Patio".

At the top of  the list, Rosé de Chevalier 2014 * * * (exceptional)

(photo Dixie D. Vereen for The Washington Post)

Domaine de Chevalier Rosé de Chevalier 2014

★ ★ ★

Bordeaux, France, $17

Bordeaux is known for its big, stately reds, not for rosé. But Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier is a playful sort, and he busts out of the stereotype with this juicy, invigorating wine redolent of strawberries and exotic melons. Don’t call it pink wine: It’s almost red, and it retains some of Bordeaux’s elegance. As casual goes, this is linen and loafers rather than shorts and flip-flops. Alcohol by volume: 13 percent.

M. Touton Selection: Available in the District at Ace Beverage, Barrel House Liquors, Capital City Wine & Spirits, Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Harry’s Reserve Fine Wine & Spirits. Available in Maryland at Georgetown Square Wine and Beer in Bethesda, Old Farm Liquors in Frederick, Snider’s Super Foods in Silver Spring. Available in Virginia at the Vineyard in McLean.

Press Review : Domaine de Chevalier Rouge Primeur 2014

James Suckling

- Domaine de Chevalier Rouge Primeur 2014        

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.

Jancis Robinson

Dom de Chevalier 2014 Pessac-Léognan  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

Wine Advocate –Neal Martin

April 2015. 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. Drink 2020-2040. 92-94

Revue du Vin de France - Ph. Maurange

17-18/20 Sans forcer, la trame tannique s’impose dans un registre ultra-fin, laissant la place à un coeur de bouche profond et concentré. La pureté du fruit relance une finale délicate et juteuse. Un très beau Chevalier !

Wine Spectator James Molesworth

DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER Pessac-Léognan 2014 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.—J.M.

Decanter – Jane Anson

Domaine de Chevalier 2014  -Pessac-Léognan Red

18.25/20pts ( 94/100pts )

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% perit 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

Vinifera – Jacques Perrin

Domaine de Chevalier  * * * *

Très beau profil aromatique sur les baies, avec une touche balsamique d’une grande noblesse. C’est un jus dense, parfumé, superbement équilibré. Grande réussite !

Berry Bros

2014 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “The yield was 40 hectolitres per hectare this year: that doesn't represent a great yield, but it is much better than recent years, in particular 2013. I always buy this wine for my own cellar and will be doing so again. Soft and really approachable, this is a gentle wine. Shy, but pretty on the nose, it is decadent and could be enjoyed very early; but that's not to say it won't age well, all the component parts are singing in harmony: ripe, fleshy fruit, freshness, attractive acidity and silky, fine tannins. The finish is soft too. This is so silky and enjoyable, even when tasting a barrel sample.”

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot

Gault -  Millau _ Eric Riewer

Domaine de Chevalier - Pessac-Léognan Rouge  17 / 18

Très beau nez de fruits noirs, d'épices, boisé/grillé avec de la tension, une belle structure et une réelle densité. Fraîcheur, densité tout en délicatesse et en finesse de grain et de tanins. Frais et suave. Très grande réussite.

Antonio Galloni – Vinous

2014      Domaine de Chevalier Domaine de Chevalier

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. Tasted three times. -- Antonio Galloni (92-95)

 

Jacques Dupont – Le Point

-          Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 17

Fruits rouges, framboise, bouche délicate, fine, tanins soyeux, frais, élégant, long, tendre mais avec de la tenue. En longueur.

Panos Kakaviatos

Domaine de Chevalier (red): One of the most successful red Graves. If the price is right, buy it. I will. “You had to harvest later to get the necessary ripeness to deal with the high acidities,” both Olivier Bernard and partner Remy Edange explained, for both red and white. This was a lovely expression of ripe red and black fruit from the lively attack with a medium plus body, marked by vivacity and high intensity flavors. A medium plus flavor intensity yet refined and elegant, with a long finish marked by lift. 92-94

Jeff Leve – The Wine Cellar Insider

2014 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge – A sexy vintage with chocolate, plums, earth and freshly rolled cigars on the nose. This wine is medium-bodied, soft, and silky and did I mention sexy? There is a distinctly forward, polished, blackberry and chocolate finish. The wine was produced from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot and reached 13.5% alcohol. 92-94 Pts

 Chris Kissack – The Wine Doctor

Domaine de Chevalier 2014: A very impressive, inky-dark core here, with a deep crimson rim. The nose is beautifully expressive, dripping with bright black cherry fruit, black plums too, with a perfumed, vanilla flower freshness to it. The palate is polished, showing a lovely texture from the start, with exuberant fruit substance like the nose, super confidence in both the ripeness and integration of the tannins, and there is super balance to it as well. This is a superb result, brimming with structure but it is ripe and well composed. It is so captivating I think I came back to this sample three times during the course of my tasting. Impressive, and candidate for top wine of the appellation in this vintage. 17-18/20

Jean-Marc Quarin : 16 // 90

Izak Litwar : 94

René Gabriel : 17 /20

Jeannie Cho Lee : 90 - 92

Bettane & Desseauve : 94 * 17,5 /20

Tim Atkin : 93

Roger Voss : 93

CLOS des LUNES 2014, presented by Olivier Bernard. Video clip

Presentation of the new vintage of CLOS des LUNES in the historic salons of the Palais de la Bourse.

As every year, Olivier Bernard had invited professionals from the Place de Bordeaux for this event.

(Short video by Frédéric Lot)

First 2014 En Primeur tasting in Bruges, at Karmeliet ***

For this is  intimate discovery and preview, we had invited our Belgian friends at Karmeliet *** for a blend tasting in the "Venice of the North"...

We tasted different lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc before discovering the final blend of the 2014 vintage.

Then took place the wonderful lunch prepared by the virtuoso Gert Van Hecke and his team around some older vintages (white Domaine de Chevalier 2004 and 1984, red Domaine de Chevalier 1964 [Magnum], 1984, 2004 and 2004 Château Guiraud).

A big thank you to Gert Van Hecke and his team for this exceptional moment, as well as Marc Declerck and Urban Boutelegier for that perfect organization!

photo smartphone

photo smartphone

Photothèque De Karmeliet

Photothèque De Karmeliet

 

 

Devatting...

Picking is far now: Fall colours in the vineyard, and already the time of devatting...      

Harvesting ended in merlot.

Domaine de Chevalier, Oct. 6, 2014.

This morning, we cut the last Merlot grapes. Tomorrow some young vines of cabernet sauvignon.

2014 white harvest at Domaine de Chevalier : Welcome to the Rain at Halfway !

Olivier BERNARD : start for young sémillon at Domaine de Chevalier.

We entered the second week of white harvest (started Sept. 10), and were cutting this morning our first Semillon in young vines. 

As says Rémi Edange: "the first half was worrying, the second half is amazing" 

After three weeks of beautiful summer weather, we wanted a bit of rain to refresh and hydrate the vine. And this

Welcome to the Rain ! Sept. 17

Welcome Rain arrived last night, bringing a ten millimeters of water and big smiles on the faces! The ripening continues ...

We still have about one week of picking in white plots.

Quality of the juice in barrels, splendid fruits that await us in the vineyard and good forecast for the coming days: We are absolutely sure of a very great vintage in dry white with fantastic balance !

some words about reds : 

We also are sure of top ripening and success with merlot.

We have to wait another 2 weeks of good forecast to insure Cabs.