Domaine de Chevalier 2014

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1666-2014
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• Domaine: Domaine de Chevalier
• Appellation: Pessac-Léognan
• Classification: Grand Cru Classé de Graves
• Origin: Left Bank, Bordeaux, France

The philosophy at Domaine de Chevalier is that 90 percent of the work is done in the vineyards and the remaining ten percent is done in the vat room. This Grand Cru Classé estate in the Pessac-Léognan carveout of the Graves appellation is surrounded by forests, which protect the precious vines from extreme weather.  Many refer to Domaine de Chevalier as a, “secret garden,” hidden in the middle of this heavily wooded area in Graves and if you were fortunate enough to visit the estate, it may be hard to find amongst the trees.  Though Domaine de Chevalier may not be as well-known of a property as some of the Classified Growths in the Médoc, that does not mean it shouldn’t be on any discerning wine buyer’s radar.  The wines of Domaine de Chevalier are consistently of impeccable quality, making it a property that very much deserves recognition on a wider scale. 

Domaine de Chevalier is presently run by Olivier Bernard, a man with a long family legacy entrenched in the Bordeaux wine trade.  Olivier Bernard’s family was initially in the brandy business prior to switching over to winemaking.  He was asked to run Domaine de Chevalier at the tender age of 23 years old -- and almost considered not taking the opportunity.  His family trusted him, believing winemaking was in his blood.  Eventually, Olivier rose to the challenge – much to the benefit of the estate.  Since he took over operations in the 1980s, he kept the winemaking team on board but implemented a lot of changes to the property.  When Olivier acquired the Domaine de Chevalier, it was only a 18-hectare estate.  Olivier expanded it to the 65 planted hectares it is today.  He initiated a long-term replanting process in 1988 that finished in 1995.  Today, the property is sustainably farmed, and 30 hectares are farmed using biodynamic viticultural practices.

Frosts in the area can be problematic for the vineyard, and Olivier often uses wind machines and sometimes helicopters to protect the plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon from extreme weather. Picking is often done in the vineyard, and for their white wine, Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, the grapes are then taken to a special room that is kept very cold to preserve freshness of the delicate white varietals.  The only other property that implements this practice in Bordeaux for their white wine is Château Margaux. 

The philosophy of Domaine de Chevalier is about serving the needs of the fruit in the vat room.  The resulting wines are fresh, ethereal and sophisticated, with the potential to age for several years.  Olivier Bernard believes that as vignerons, they have 12 months to create one vintage.  In his mind, the winemaking process is a series of steps leading to the critical period that is harvest time.  If they do everything right, one vintage may be remembered for 30 years or more.  In the case of Domaine de Chevalier it seems this philosophy serves them well, considering some of their top vintages are some of the most memorable wines from Graves.

Tasting Notes

"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." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (3/31/2017, Interim Issue), Ratings: 93, Drink: 2021-2045

"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. It has the class and balance to offer incredible pleasure today, yet will keep for another two decades." - Jeb Dunnuck, Let The Good Times Roll: 2015 Bordeaux From Bottle, 11/30/2017 Rating: 94

''Dark fruits, stony ground, crushed rocks, serious Left Bank feel, with Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, well structured, plenty of life ahead, not the most geneous of Chevaliers but brilliant quality, restrained, confident, a consistently impressive wine that I have enjoyed on several occasions since En Primeur and that is clearly still at the beginning of its life.'' Jane Anson, Best Pomerol 2020 Wines Tasted En Primeur (2/1/2024) Ratings: 94 Drink: 2024-2042

 

 


More Information
LWIN 2076184
Stock Status In Stock
Appellation Pessac-Léognan
Vintage 2014
Brand Domaine de Chevalier
Shipping Weight 3.000000
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Pessac-Léognan is a prestigious wine appellation located in the northern Graves region of Bordeaux on the Left Bank of the Garonne River to the south of Bordeaux city. Created in 1987 the Pessac-Léognan AOC encompasses communes in the south of Bordeaux such as Pessac-Léognan and Martillac. 

Pessac-Léognan soils are among the most widely varied in the region which explains why both serious red and white wines can be produced. The main grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Semillon producing elegant, complex wines that age well. 

These wines are known for their structure and their rich flavors often featuring notes of dark fruits, tobacco, spices. 

Pessac-Léognan has fourteen Crus Classés de Graves including one that is also a 1855 First Growths : Château Haut-Brion.

The area is home to several renowned estates including Château Pape-Clement, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Lespault-Martillac, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Domaine de Chevalier, Château Latour-Martillac, La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion, Le Petit Haut Lafitte, Château Carbonnieux, Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Château Larrivet Haut-Brion, Clos Floridene, Château Bouscaut, Château Olivier, Château La Tour Haut-Brion, Château Brown, Château Baret, Château de Fieuzal, Château Ferran.

These estates are celebrated for their meticulous winemaking processes and commitment to excellence ensuring that each bottle reflects the rich heritage and terroir of the region. 

 

 

Footnotes on Futures, Pre-Arrivals, and potential US Tariffs: 

1. As of June 15, 2021, the US and the EU agreed to suspend tariffs resulting from the Boeing-Airbus aircraft trade disputes. Accordingly, such import taxes are now suspended for the next five years.

2. Futures are expected to be available for delivery two years after the sales (e.g., the 2022 vintage, sold in 2023, will be delivered in 2025 mostly, or 2026 if the producer ages the wine longer).

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