L'Esprit de Chevalier 2018

Esprit de Chevalier continues to offer terrific value for money, always hinting at the Grand Vin in an approachable, moreish cloak. The 2018 is fleshy but balanced, with a ripe nose of plum and dark cherries together with just a hint of earthy spice. The palate is supple and suave, with fine and ripe tannins melted into the fruit - you can drink this now. Hints of spice add a touch of complexity, but this is all about pure, ripe and generous furit in a gentle frame. Blending vintage and domaine together beautifully, this will provide real drinking pleasure over the next 8 years.

This is an extremely polished and refined young wine with gorgeous blackberry, blackcurrant, licorice, dark-chocolate and bark character. It’s full-bodied with ever so fine tannins and a long, long finish. Fantastic second wine of Domaine de Chevalier. Try after 2026.

Checking in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot brought up mostly in used barrels, the 2018 L'Esprit De Chevalier has a rich, dense, medium to full-bodied style with slightly reserved darker currant and cherry fruits, notes of cedary herbs and earth, firm tannins, and a good finish. While most second wines are up-front and geared for early drinking, this is going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age. It should keep for over a decade.