Domaine de Chevalier 2018

Dreamy, with a velvety, caressing feel to a mix of warmed cassis, plum reduction and cherry preserve flavors that glide through slowly but surely, letting anise, sweet tobacco and mineral accents peek in throughout. Very long, very refined. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2038. 10,000 cases made.

Elegant aromas of berries and violet, complemented by a hint of toasty oak. Revealing notes of bonito flakes, walnut, black cherry and cedar spice. Boasting vibrant freshness and balanced acidity. On the palate, blackcurrant and plum dominate, supported by present freshness and finely-grained tannins, leading to a grippy, youthful finish.

The intensity and perfumes on the nose are extremely impressive, offering pure blackberries and violets, as well as bark, wild-mushroom and raw-tile notes. It’s full-bodied with creamy tannins that envelop the wine and a gorgeous, subtly complex center palate with all the flavors found on the nose. Endless finish. Love the finesse and length to this. Greatest ever. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 5% petit verdot. Try after 2026.

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Biodynamic and organic farming methods. Black core with a narrow crimson rim. Elegant restraint of very dark fruit. Rocks and graphite pencil as well as pure, refined cassis aromas. This is gorgeous. Meltingly tender tannins perfectly integrated with the purest, most perfectly ripe yet fresh fruit. Already silky but surely with a long life ahead. (JH)

Here is another wine that needed aeration to really show its mettle, albeit not as much as others. The 2018 Domaine de Chevalier initially comes across a little ordinary. You ask yourself: What’s the fuss all about? But after 60–90 minutes it reveals an absolutely divine nose of raspberry, crushed rose petals, wild mint and Provençal herbs, beautifully defined and gaining intensity with each passing moment. The palate is very well balanced, the predominantly red fruit framed by fine tannins that provide the backbone to this Domaine de Chevalier, yet the overriding impression is one of elegance and finesse. An utterly sublime Pessac-Léognan that is going to give a lot of pleasure over the coming years.

Clearly the finest vintage of Domaine de Chevalier ever produced, this beauty has it all. The captivating perfume with all its smoke, earth, spice, tobacco-infused, ripe red and dark red fruits, tar, cigar box, thyme and espresso scents is close to off the charts. With 2018 you find unheard-of levels of concentration with everything in balance. The fruits are generous, silky and pure. The refined, elegant finish just goes on and on. With aging, this could merit an even higher score in the years to come. Olivier Bernard calls this the best vintage of Domaine de Chevalier he has ever produced and he is right! The wine is made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.

Dark ruby, violet hues, a pale shimmer at the rim. Fine scents of hardwood followed by black forest fruits layered with tobacco nuances, ripe cherries and a whiff of Havana tobacco—an inviting bouquet. Juicy and elegant, marked by a touch of cherry and cranberry preserve, with well-integrated, supportive tannins. Mineral and persistent, a sophisticated wine and an elegant food companion. Discreetly bold, with good ageing potential. (2020-2050)

The 2018 Domaine De Chevalier is a beauty. Based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in 35% new French oak, it has a beautiful sense of elegance and purity, which is very much in the style of the vintage as well as the domaine. Blackcurrants, black cherries, cold fireplace, damp earth, tobacco, and chocolate are just some of the nuances here, and this complex, medium to full-bodied 2018 has gorgeous tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish. It has suppleness in its texture that allows it to offer pleasure even today, yet given its balance as well as purity, it deserves 5-7 years of bottle age and will keep for 30+ years. It is another brilliant wine from the team of Olivier Bernard.

Purple with a ruby rim. Delicate perfume of red cherries, black olives and Sichuan pepper, backed by Brazilian tobacco and juniper. On the taut palate with a supple texture, fleshy extract, a fine mealy touch and a well-toned body. The focused finish currently shows more spice than fruit, making it feel (slightly) closed. Hints of cigar box, dark noble wood and juniper, along with a noticeable ripe astringency on the aftertaste; this Pessac-Léognan needs time and calm to develop, so the rule here is: hands off!

Kunz barrel sample 19: (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 13.5% alc./vol.) Powerful, fresh, mineral bouquet of cassis, black cherries, eucalyptus, mocha yogurt, cedar, dark tobacco. Densely knit, elegant, multi-layered palate with powerful, diverse aromatics, plenty of fine tannins, a finely muscled, classic structure, dark fruit, and a very long, delicately bitter, aromatic finish with lots of lingering flavors. Still has room to improve.

Fresh, silky, elegant bouquet of cherries, cassis, mint and nougat. Dense, elegant, fresh palate with delicate, sweet fruit, plenty of fine tannins, powerful, sweet, fresh aromatics, and a very long, refined finish. Has room to improve. 18/20 2024 - 2048

Domaine de Chevalier 2018 is deep garnet-purple in color. It is a little closed to begin with, emerging with scents of warm cassis, blackberry preserves, and Morello cherries, plus hints of menthol, spice cake, and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a velvety texture and plenty of freshness supporting the generous fruit, finishing with a minty kick.

Straight and highly refined, impeccable, racy stature, delicate tannins, great vintage.

Deep garnet red. Beautiful aromatic intensity with a very good balance between barrel ageing and fruity notes. Inviting nuances of grenadine, mint and licorice wood. A seductive character on the palate, where juicy, silky tannins harmonize with the acidity. This wine has verve, substance, and a very bright future ahead.

With the 65% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, this wine shows its pedigree, richness and potential. Tannins are almost velvet in their texture while packing a fine punch and conveying plenty of longevity. The ripeness of the vintage balances with the structure. Drink the wine from 2027.