On his blog, our friend Izak LITWAR comments on 2013: wines of Domaine de Chevalier, but also the three wines of Clos des Lunes and those of Château Lespault-Martillac.
On the same evening at a family dinner, we sipped some beautiful bottles ...
Read the blog of Izak : An exhaustive overview of the 2013 vintage and his visits to many properties.
Domaine de Chevalier
Astonishing evening on Sunday the 6th April. In addition to little vertical tasting of white Domaine de Chevalier, I tasted other wines from Olivier Bernard. Then dinner with some fantastic wines from vintages ending with 4.
Wines tasted - fruity and easygoing 2013 Lespault Martillac red (85p), aromatic 2013 Lespault Martillac white with very good acidity and length (88p), 2013 Domaine de Chevalier red which was aromatic with silky fruit and tannin, fine smoothness on the palate and meaty finish (91-92p), three versions of 2013 Clos des Lunes, fruity and attractive Lunes Blanche (87p), more intense and longer Lunes d'Argent (88p) and fatter, more deep and more concentrated Lunes d'Or (90p).
Then four vintages of white Domaine de Chevalier - classy, stylish, rich and refined 2013 (94-95p), lighter 2012 but still with classy elegance and finesse (94p), stunning 2011 with fabulous intensity, complexity and length, sophisticated touch, great richness and length (96p) and even better 2010 which was extremely sophisticated, with fabulous acidity and depth, and long caressing aftertaste (97p).
For dinner I had white D.d.Chevalier 1964, 1984 and 2004. 1964 was interesting old wine, sherry flavors, well-balanced (89p), 1984 was refined with finesse, great complexity and great balance (93p) while 2004 was slightly oxidized. Then a blast from the past, 1924 Lafite, which had incredible nose of truffles, truffy palate too, riveting elegance and remarkable complexity as well. Amazing wine. 95p. 1974 Latour followed, but it was past its peak with almost all fruit gone and acidity all over in this wine. 84p. Next wine in line was 1934 Ausone, mature fruit, silky, very delicate and tasty, yet in fine balance but acidity is well-pronounced. Impressive old wine. 92p. 1954 Leoville Poyferre was clearly marked by age, extracted coffee beans, good balance. 87p. 1964 Haut Brion showed nice intensity and concentration, polished style, nice balance and finish. 91p. 1964 Petrus tasted like bottle kept under pristine conditions - youthful dark color, almost black ink, powerful, extraordinary complexity, structure, depth and length. Unquestionably the best wine of the dinner. Heavenly stuff. 99p. We finished dinner with a curious 19 century bottle of Yquem, which probably was from vintage between 1891 and 1893.
Olivier Bernard explains - " You know, 2013 vintage was very difficult and needed a lot of work in the vineyard and cellar (left), we succeeded anyway to make a really good red and beautiful white despite difficult circumstances (middle), so I hope you will enjoy my wine in both colors (right)."
Showstopper!
1924 Lafite, 1974 Latour and 1934 Ausone - April 2014
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