Domaine de Chevalier 2015

This shows class and finesse with ultra-fine tannins and succulent fruit. Full body yet elegant and long. Gorgeous wine. Such length. Vibrant and focused.

Deep garnet in color, the 2015 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge needs a little coaxing to reveal notes of baked black cherries, redcurrant jelly, and plum preserves with suggestions of unsmoked cigars, tapenade, and rosehip tea. The medium-bodied palate has intense red and black berry preserves layers with a firm structure of grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed. Drink 2024-2049.

Tasted blind. Neat and luscious and sweet. Very slightly tarty. But it beguiles. Much richer than most previous vintages.
Drink 2024-2040

I was able to taste the 2015 Domaine de Chevalier twice and it showed sensationally both times. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that was harvested between October 1st and October 15th, this deep ruby/purple-colored effort has soaring aromatics of caramelized black cherries, cassis, lead pencil shavings, and forest floor. Deep, full-bodied, intense and beautifully pure, with fine tannin and moderate acidity, it’s a gorgeous Pessac-Leognan that needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will evolve for three decades. 2022 - 2052

Bright and fresh the nose has fragrance and bright black fruits the start of the palate a mix of bilberry and bramble. Rich and ripe in the middle the fruit underpinned by fine tannins but it fills out at the back supple and ripe with sweet fruit giving depth on the finish.

Outperformed (only just) by some of its neighbours in 2015, but Domaine de Chevalier is still
hard to beat for value and consistency. Firm and smoky with a carapace of tannin concealing
the plummy, fruitcake-like flavours beneath. The acidity brings freshness to the finish.
Drink: 2022-35

Dense, briary and full, there is an extra dimension of power and extraction here which is impressive and very well
handled because it leads with fruit and not oak and the tannins are juicy and mouth-watering and not dry or astringent.
Gentle handling is the key here and even though this is a big wine is it still impeccably balanced.

Hedonistic and ripe nose - blackcurrants, strawberries and plums, with lots of floral fragrance, sticky black liquorice and tobacco. Sweet, succulent and juicy, so pleasing and easy to enjoy this from the first sip. Juicy but not too much, with a really mineral salty, liquorice and flint understone from the very beginning. Lean and straight, a lovely direction and persistence from start to finish. Tannins are firm, and filling, though this has an almost understated element to it, the 2015 isn't trying too hard, it's sleek and smooth. Tannins are perfectly integrated and this carries a lovely weight on the palate. Drinking so generously and so easy, more round and playful than the 2016 at this point. Bright, fresh, pure, gentle, charming, with great estate signature. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Drink 2023-2045.