| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
One of the truly great names of dry white Bordeaux. Chevalier Blanc has a loyal following and is a wine with an amazing ability to age despite being attractive in its youth. The 7 hectares of vines are planted with 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon. Recently the wine has been bottled under DIAM to remove the risk of cork taint and aid stable maturation in bottle.
The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc was picked from 22 August to 1 September. It has an instantly satisfying bouquet as it "launches" scents of passion fruit, lemon rind and patisserie scents, very well-defined and focused. The palate is intense on the entry and impressive in weight and density. Perhaps there's not quite the tension of the previous vintage, but it is long and thickly textured on the finish. Excellent. 2028-2048
The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc offers up aromas of pear, nectarine, crushed mint jasmine and lemon, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated palate with a mineral-driven profile. It's lively and bright, with a delicate, penetrating finish animated by racy acids. This blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon, matured entirely in large wooden foudres and 500-liter barrels instead of the traditional barriques, is one of the finest white wines of the vintage, and one of the few that transcends its limitations.
Certainly a contender for white wine of the vintage this year, the Domaine de Chevalier blanc defies the heat that made so many white wines struggle. A pure, vibrant nose of grapefruit and white peach is layered with waxy lemons and a hint of sweet spice. The palate is direct and silky, with depth rather than breadth. Focused, intense and fine, this is juicy, tangy and typically linear and pure. The toast of wood is subtle, well judged, allowing the pristine fruit to shine. Excellent.
A deep and layered white with rich and intense structure. It’s full yet agile with so much energy and intensity. Cooked apple, lime zest and nougat with oyster and sea bed undertones. Fascinating already.
The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is made from 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon. It needs considerable swirling and coaxing to unlock notes of fresh pineapple, orange blossoms, lime cordial, and juicy pears, giving way to wafts of honeysuckle and cedar. The medium-bodied palate is electric with citrus and tropical fruit layers, framed by a racy backbone and satiny texture, finishing long and mineral-laced. This is nicely done! pH 3.32.
Touch of reduction on the first nose, intense, gunsmoke-filled aromatics, clearly aimed at extremely long ageing. Great quality, stands out for its serious structure, with clove, aniseed and fennel woven through citrus and white pear, has weight and manages to stay on the savoury side of ripe. Needs time and food. Tasted twice. 40th harvest of Olivier Bernard (meaning a special label), 33% new oak.
