Domaine de Chevalier 2018

Still marked by maturation, but with a promising aroma of oak and white peach, exotic fruits; full attack, dense, juicy structure, subtle bitterness, impressive drive and length; needs to age.

The Domaine de Chevalier 2018 Blanc, a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon, offers up a gorgeous perfume of ripe Bosc pears, grapefruit oil, mandarin peel and lemongrass, leading to wafts of sea spray, lime blossom and beeswax. The medium to full-bodied palate has a seducing opulence, delivering layers of citrus, pear and floral-inspired flavors with a satiny texture and seamless freshness, finishing long with a spicy kick. It makes for a complex, decadently delicious wine right now, but give it 4-5 years in bottle to see it take on even more savory/toasty layers, and drink it for the next 10-12 years or more.

Gorgeous, with both rich and racy elements as lemon curd, shortbread and honeysuckle notes contrast with lemon pith, thyme and fleur de sel notes. Long finish has wet straw and paraffin hints, adding length and range. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2030. 2,000 cases made.

This clearly has focus and a steely determination of stone fruit. Clear opulence and density, if not quite the grip of this wine in the very best white vintages. Excellent white pepper spice as it opens.

This has a complex nose of dried apple, green mango, grapefruit zest, dried honeysuckle and crushed almonds. It’s full-bodied with bright acidity and a dense, phenolic texture. Vivid and layered with fantastic precision. Very, very long. This needs time. Better from 2026.

Round, bright, lush, creamy and juicy, with layers of fresh, crisp pomelo, waxy lemon peel, green apple, flowers and stone with a dab of honey, there is a lot to like here. Give it a few more years in the cellar and there will be even more to like as it ages.

Light yellow-green in colour with silver reflections. The nose reveals yellow mango fruit, citrus zest, a hint of vanilla and peach along with floral nuances, delicately underlaid with blossom honey. On the palate it is juicy and elegant with a fine fruit sweetness making it round and harmonious. It has a fine acid structure with honeydew melon echoes, it is long and will certainly mature well.

One of the top whites in the vintage, the 2018 Domaine De Chevalier Blanc is mostly Sauvignon blended with 25% Sémillon that was raised in 35% new French oak. A forward, approachable vintage for this cuvée, it has a beautiful, medium- to full-bodied style as well as loads of lemon curd, white grapefruit, toasted bread, spice, and a kiss of chalky minerality. Balanced, pure, and elegant, drink this killer Bordeaux Blanc over the coming 10–15 years.

Pale yellow. Restrained, very refined bouquet with primroses and vineyard peach, followed by mirabelle plums. Slender on the palate, with peppery extract and a finely wired texture. Shows mineral finesse. A focused finish with pink grapefruit and plenty of minerality, vinified with firm tension from start to finish. Therefore belongs to the top tier of white Pessac-Léognan.

Kunz barrel sample 19: mineral, fresh, dense, complex bouquet, grapefruit, fine mirabelles, citrus, mint leaves. Balanced, dense, multi-layered, elegant palate with delicate fruit, creamy texture, very good acidity, diverse aromatics, long, dense finish. Has room to improve further.

Mineral, fresh, dense, complex bouquet with grapefruit, delicate mirabelle, citrus and mint leaves. Balanced, dense, multi-layered, elegant palate with fine fruit, creamy texture, very good acidity, diverse aromatics, long, concentrated finish. Can improve further. 18/20 2024 - 2050

This is the wine that I opened the night the preview pages of my new website went live, which tells you that I consider it a special-occasion wine, something to really sit back with and enjoy. Not only that, but I kept it in the fridge for a week, just having a glass every few days, and it delivered consistently through to the last drop, because there is structure and flesh to the lemon, white pear, lychee and freshly cut herb flavours, with oyster shell salinity. 30% new oak. 7ha of white grapes here, and one of the most consistently ageable whites in Bordeaux. Harvesting always takes place over several passes through the vineyard, with never more than 30% of the fruit picked at any one time.

The white Domaine de Chevalier 2018 sings of honeyed apricots, pink grapefruit, and guava, with hints of lime leaves and lemon butter. Medium to full-bodied, it is zippy on the palate, with great intensity and length.

A subtly fruity and floral nose; the palate is flavorful and silky, with dense flesh and refined aromas supported by excellent vibrancy and a touch of salinity. Very energetic and racy.

The nose needs a bit of air to catch its breath and open up to notes of tropical fruit and citrus. The palate is structured, linear, and marked by striking mineral freshness.

During the tasting of the 2020 barrel samples, the wine already showed a thoroughly respectable ageing potential. Not only does it confirm this potential, it even extends it! Its bouquet is marked by citrus, with nuances of grapefruit, quince and lemongrass. Lovely creaminess, a supportive acidic texture, and promising freshness.

94–96. Barrel Sample. Low yields have given this wine great concentration. It has intense herbal and lemon flavors, as well as a tangy texture that will encourage this wine to age well. Its acidity and freshness are balanced by the texture to give it density and intensity on the finish.