| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This much respected property in Pessac-Léognan is run with great care by Olivier Bernard whose family took it over from Claude Ricard in 1983. During the 1980s and 1990s there was a major programme of replanting here and since the early 2000s, with the vines reaching maturity, the quality here has returned to that of the great vintages of the 1940s and 1950s. Without doubt, the best vintages of Chevalier are the most recent ones. Domaine de Chevalier performs brilliantly every year now and is a regular star of our blind tastings. It wins its flight at the blind "Southwold" tasting with impressive regularity. However, prices have remained reasonable. This is always one of our best-selling wines en primeur.
The 2024 is Olivier Bernard's 42nd vintage at Chevalier. Picked until October 8th. The yield was 20% higher than last year thanks to the abandonment of organic practices as they treated the vines against mildew. A modest 12.45 degrees including 0.3 degrees of chaptalisation. Made from 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% each Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. 60% grand vin and 40% second label - Esprit de Chevalier. With some volume to sell, we hope for a modest price here.
Deep garnet-purple in color. Pops from the glass with wonderfully fragrant notes of red roses, cardamom, and mossy tree bark, leading to a core of cassis and red currant jelly. The light-bodied palate is energetic and shimmery, delivering fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and minerally.
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. 3.62 pH.
The 2024 Domaine de Chevalier was cropped at 48 hl/ha between September 20 and October 8. This is almost Burgundian in style, with a fragrant bouquet revealing pure blueberry and blackcurrant aromas alongside crushed violet and iris flower scents emerging with aeration. It is very comely and alluring. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. It's very harmonious and already in this prenatal stage, seductive. With finely chiseled tannins and more mineralité compared to the L'Esprit, this seems to glide on the finish. Just a lovely Pessac-Léognan for the vintage, though this year it must accept the silver medal as Olivier Bernard's white takes the gold. 2031 - 2048
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Domaine de Chevalier reveals a spicy, brooding bouquet of oak, dark berries and gentian. Medium to full-bodied, juicy and round, it's firm and has an assertive tannic frame, concluding with a somewhat chewy finish. Despite a respectable yield and a clear stylistic shift toward less oak influence, the estate’s sandy terroirs struggled to achieve full ripeness in this delicate vintage.
Domaine de Chevalier is a strong performer this year. Mid ruby in colour, the fruit has a saline, soy-like quality set against roasted red plums, fresh red cherries and charcoal embers. The palate follows in the same vein, with a lightly clove-tinged wood smoke, easy and light tannic structure and a red fruit core. Lightly earthy, propped up by bright acids and floral overtones, this is well balanced and has enough stuffing to carry the vibrant acidity that lingers on the finish. Summer fruits and more charcoal embers mix with more lifted tones of cherry blossom. Well done.
Stands out for its deep ruby red colour, soft grilled cedar and sandalwood aromatics, and its slow build through the palate, with juice and character, a ton of gorgeous slate and liquorice. Not at the peak of 2023 or 2022, but this has depth and balance, and estate character. Great job from the team at Domaine de Chevalier. Harvest 20 September to 8 October. 30% new oak for ageing, Olivier Bernard owner.
The 2024 Domaine de Chevalier is soft, fruity and relatively simple, given its typical personality. Plum, black cherry, licorice, chocolate and sweet oak are pushed forward in this open-knit, easygoing Pessac-Léognan. There may be more here than meets the eye. We will see. Today, the 2024 is on the light side. Tasted two times. 2032 - 2049
Fine cocoa powder, cedar, minerals, currants and blue fruit. Juicy and medium- to full-bodied with fresh, firm tannins and a long, crunchy finish. It lingers well. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 5% petit verdot.
