L'Esprit de Chevalier 2021

The 2021 L'Esprit de Chevalier, a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc aged for 14 months in barrels, reveals a toasty, spicy bouquet with aromas of sweet berries, nuts, nicely integrated oak and smoke. Medium-bodied, juicy and well-balanced, it’s layered with structured tannins, a fleshy core of fruit and a fresh, vibrant finish.

Bright summer berry notes on the nose, good concentration and intensity; you feel the power with its straight backbone but also lovely mineral, chalky, creamy and cool blue-fruit touches. Definite slate and crushed stones, such terroir markers. I like the fresh finish and the overall airy nature. Easy, enjoyable Pessac typicity.

Red currants, red cherries and a splash of white pepper, paprika and stones. Juicy and composed, with elegant red berries and soft, silky tannins. 50% cabernet sauvignon, 45% merlot and 5% petit verdot. Shows some nice length. Lovely early appeal. Drink now.

The 2021 L'Esprit de Chevalier has a harmonious and pure bouquet with black cherries, wild strawberry, mint and light graphite scents, that oyster shell tincture noted from barrel emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and fine depth, but maybe it just pulls up a little short on the finish. Nonetheless, this is still a very commendable Deuxième Vin.

Much better in the bottle than when tasted in barrel, this charmer is loaded with tobacco, black cherries, black raspberries, flowers and cocoa. Soft, fresh, elegant, and loaded with sweet, ripe, creamy red fruits, this is frankly delicious and will be a treat for at least a decade or more. This is one of the top values in Pessac-Léognan today. Drink from 2024-2034.

Looking at the reds, the 2021 L'Esprit De Chevalier is outstanding and has a juicy, pretty, medium-bodied style as well as savory red and black fruits, some leather and herbal nuances, soft tannins, and the elegant style of the vintage.

An excellent second wine with remarkable purity and precision to the cassis and blueberry fruit, harnessing fresh acidity to create real drive. Slightly angular tannins on the finish.

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, L’Esprit de Chevalier Rouge 2021 has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It springs from the glass with exuberant scents of Morello cherries, cassis, and fragrant soil, opening out to reveal an undercurrent of crushed rocks and wild thyme. Medium-bodied, the palate is crisp and pure, with fine-grained tannins to frame the red berry flavors, finishing on a minerally note.

Beautiful deep, lively red. Intense, subtle nose with ripe fruit. The palate has a delicate touch, fine flavor and a noble progression. The finish is superb when the fruit’s brightness comes through. A delight. Blend: 65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 10% petit verdot. Alcohol: 13.5% - pH: 3.63. Yield: 30 hl/ha.