Domaine de Chevalier 2008

Beguiling aromatics, plenty of freshness, but slightly powdery tannins: needs some time to mature.

One of the fabulous sleepers of the vintage and a wine for serious Bordeaux aficionados to consider buying, the 2008 is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot that achieved 13.5% natural alcohol. Surprisingly backward for a 2008, it is medium to full-bodied with moderate tannins, lots of purity, and abundant charcoal, black currant, and floral notes. The sweetness of the fruit, depth of flavor, and textured, lush mouthfeel in this medium- to full-bodied, ageworthy 2008 are impressive. Give it 3–4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades. I would not be surprised if it turns out to be as impressive as the 2010.

Lilac, tar and cassis bush aromas are followed by a broad swath of mulled plum, black currant and maduro tobacco. The strong, mineral- and tar-filled spine drives through the finish, which picks up a smoldering edge. Drink now through 2018. 10,333 cases made.

Beautifully textured and weighted on the palate, not so expressive on the nose, but this is scintillating on the palate, buzzy, clean, lean, focused and straight. It doesn’t really deviate and in that respect this has tension and a lot more to give. Feels like it’s in hibernation at the moment, but still delivering purity and clarity of fruit with terroir markers of liquorice and flint at the end. Blackcurrant and plum fruit. A lovely 2008 with succulence, cool blue fruit, herbal aspects, salty touches and such an ease to it. Delicious.

Just starting to open now, with bright fruit and light smoky, meaty undertones. Medium to full body, fresh finish. Drink or hold.

Cedar cigar box, smoked herbs, burnt wood, green, peppery spices, cranberry, currants, and a touch of mocha pop in the perfume. The medium-bodied palate is bright, crisp, and peppery, with loads of crunchy red fruits, herbs, and peppery spice on the finish. This is on the old-school, classic side of the style range. Drink from 2024-2035.

A gorgeous perfume of blackcurrants, chocolate, tobacco leaf, and gravelly minerality emerges from the 2008 Domaine de Chevalier, which is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and hit 13.5% natural alcohol. It’s broad, full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, and is a beautiful, beautiful wine that stretches out nicely on the finish. This is classic Graves! I love it today, and it has another 10-15 years of prime drinking (and I’m sure a gradual decline after that).

Deep, dense purple with violet hues. Delicately fruity bouquet with elegant sweetness, wild cherries, raspberries, and a hint of Amarena. Elegant palate, silky texture, beautifully balanced. A soothing, finely structured wine with a clear focus for true Domaine-de-Chevalier connoisseurs. Completely undervalued for the price level.

Deep, dense purple with violet hues. Delicately fruity bouquet, morello cherries, raspberries, a hint of Amarena, thus showing an elegant sweetness. Elegant palate, silky texture, beautifully balanced. A soothing, finely structured wine with a clear direction for true Domaine-de-Chevalier connoisseurs. Completely undervalued in terms of price.

Silky, fresh, fragrant bouquet with cherry, strawberry, blueberry, and a hint of mocha. Elegant, finely structured palate with delicate, sweet fruit, fine tannins, fresh aromatics, and a long, refined finish. 17/20 drink by 2034

Chevalier opens with an expressive, beautifully integrated nose. The palate follows suit—very elegant—with a delicate texture, yet depth and plenty of smoothness. Great length and superb silky tannins.

Supple attack, a mid-palate that is all balance and subtlety, very fine tannins, and a finish full of delicacy. Masterful craftsmanship. Chevalier.

Logo on the cork: ART Dark color, intense, youthful and slightly evolved. Moderately aromatic nose, fruity, creamy and deep. Soft on the attack, rich through the mid-palate, with a silky, flavorful texture, the wine melts on the finish, with good taste, fine tannins and no loss of richness. It's good!

Dense, powerful wine that impresses both with its rich fruit and its balanced tannins. The whole wine is finely integrated, black berry flavors shot through with acidity and touches of wood. Certainly a wine for aging.