2014 Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan

Domaine de Chevalier is a classified Grand Cru Classé de Graves and regarded as one of the most important estates in the prestigious Pessac-Leognan appellation. Both a red and white Grand Vin is made at Domaine de Chevalier, known for quality and longevity, and the Blanc is one of the longest-lived wines in all of Bordeaux.

Taking a unique approach during harvest, all grape sorting is done exclusively in the vineyards, even if it means some grapes are picked one at a time! To combat potential frost damage they employ wind machines and even helicopters in certain vintages. The reason this works is that it mixes the lower layers of cold air where the vines are with warmer air above the earth in order to avoid damage from frost. These types of meticulous practices are how they garnered a reputation for producing great wine even in average vintages.

Remaining a family-owned and managed estate. Olivier Bernard who began managing the estate at 23 years old in 1983, is now joined by his wife Anne Bernard, and their two sons. Sustainable vineyard practices have been adopted to tend to the vines which are an average of 50 years old. 

Surrounding many of the estates that performed best during the Graves Classification of 1959, Pessac-Leognan was established in 1987 in order to recognize the high-quality red and white wines produced here.

Aging: 18 to 20 months French oak, 40-60% new 

Red Wine. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Intense dark ruby-purple color,  A fresh nose of red and black fruits in a balsamic atmosphere with a hint of pine forest. Peppery spices and fresh notes of venison are integrated. A mineral complexity surrounds this entire bouquet. The palate is generous with a soft texture, silky and fruity. The sensation of a dense tannic structure is immediate. The texture is tight but refined and supple. Great tannins coated with fruity pulp give both velvety and firm texture. This large-scale wine deserves time to develop its great potential.

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. 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. ~96 Vinous Media

The 2014 Domaine de Chevalier is a superb showing in this vintage and may be one of the finest values as well. This blend of 65 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Merlot and 5 % Petit Verdot displays a gorgeous dark color, followed by inviting aromas of blackberries and blueberries, which are layered with spices, florals and underlying nuances of wet stones all taking shape in the glass. Beautifully structured with a gorgeous rich, voluptuous texture and incredible depth. The finish is long and plush leaving a lasting impression. While this is already simply delightful, it also possesses the potential to age beautifully. ~95 International Wine Review

The wine is powered both by its tannins and by its great fruit. Dark and dense both in the structure and the black-plum flavors, it is very fine wine– juicy and ripe. This is a serious wine with a great future. *Cellar Selection* ~95 Wine Enthusiast

A blend of 65 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Merlot and 5 % Petit Verdot, harvest quite late, the 2014 Domaine de Chevalier is more refined and understated than the 2015 yet still offers more opulence, texture, and mid-palate depth than most in the vintage. Revealing a deep ruby, opaque color and a gorgeous array of blackberries, black cherries, smoked earth, forest floor, and tobacco leaf, this beauty offers full-bodied richness, a layered, silky texture, perfect balance and a great finish. ~94 Jeb Dunnuck

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. ~94 James Suckling

Seriously dark purple in color, this is crowded aromatically in the best possible way, offering an array of dark fruits, rosemary and cinnamon spice. Opens up on the palate eventually but still clearly young, needs time to soften the edges, a touch of austerity and hardness to the fruit at first, the angles are still closed and tight, but great persistency points to the quality, and this is going to age well. ~93 Decanter

The 2014 Domaine de Chevalier has a wonderful bouquet with pure blackberry, raspberry coulis and iodine-tinged aromas that seem to envelop the senses. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, superb acidity and a sense of symmetry that is uncommon in the 2014 vintage. This is a sophisticated, precise wine from Olivier Bernard that could be one of top wines of the vintage. There is an approachability to this Domaine de Chevalier, which you do not always find, however I would be inclined to give this 3-4 years in bottle. ~93 Wine Advocate

Focused, with a graphite edge that runs from start to finish alongside the dark plum and blackberry purée flavors. Reveals a pretty echo of anise through the finish, which has latent depth. Solid. ~92 Wine Spectator

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