Domaine de Chevalier 2014

A refined and intensely aromatic Graves Cru Classé

The producer

Owned by the Bernard family since 1983, the beautiful Domaine de Chevalier is at the top of the list of the finest Bordeaux Crus Classés. The estate, located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation to the south of Bordeaux, is surrounded by a green haven.

The vineyard

Domaine de Chevalier watches over a rare vineyard which comprises 45 hectares of vines dedicated to the production of red wine. The vineyard is made up of vines that are 30 years old on average and is planted on a gravelly soil with a clay and gravel subsoil.

The vintage

The mild weather at the beginning of the year, combined with an early spring, favoured the flowering period which occurred at the beginning of June. The summer was marked by stormy and humid weather conditions until the end of August, delaying the grape ripeness. An Indian summer set in from the end of August to the end of October, combining strong sunshine with dry winds which ensured a healthy concentration of the grapes. The cool nights enabled the grapes to reach full ripeness, thus refining the tannins.

The vinification and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand in small crates and are sorted successively based on their level of ripeness. Rigorous sorting is carried out in the vineyard and then in the cellar both before and after destemming. The vinification is carried out in a plot-by-plot manner in small tulip-shaped tanks, thus ensuring an optimal extraction. The wine is aged in barrels (1/3 are new oak) for 16 to 18 months, with regular stirring of the lees during the first 4 months.

The blend

Domaine de Chevalier 2014 comprises a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (30%) and Petit Verdot (5%).

The tasting

With its deep colour, this fine and delicate Pessac-Léognan red wine is seductive due to its smooth palate and its intense fruity expression.