2016 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
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“One of the crown jewels of Bordeaux”

Antonio Galloni, Vinous

A range of top rated, pristinely cellared red and white blends from one of Bordeaux’s most undervalued estates, these selections from Domaine de Chevalier are built for decades of enjoyment, some already ready to enjoy and all promising astute collectors some superb drinking ahead.

Tucked away from view in southern Pessac-Leognan, the 120-hectare estate of Domaine de Chevalier is situated in a secluded parklike setting often described as “a secret garden,” its 65-hectare biodynamically farmed vineyard surrounded by lush forest on gently rolling hills that promotes biodiversity. Situated south of the city of Bordeaux and Chateau Haut-Brion, Domaine de Chevalier’s vineyards are arranged in a single square block on a mix of dark sand and fine gravel, planted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon for the Grand Vin with a smaller 7-hectare parcel dedicated mostly to Sauvignon Blanc for the Blanc. Described as the white wine of the vintage by Jeb Dunnuck, the thrilling 98 pt. 2015 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is composed of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon aged for 18 months on the lees, yielding “a really gorgeous mouthfeel” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth while Antonio Galloni declares the “impressive” 98 pt. 2020 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc “one of the world’s great wines, hands down,” both exceptionally long-lived white Bordeaux promising to age for decades. Moving to the reds, the 96 pt. 2010 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “is bloody brilliant” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, “at the beginning of its drinking window although nowhere near quitting” while the 96 pt. 2014 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “offers full-bodied richness, a layered, silky texture, perfect balance and a great finish” according to Jeb Dunnuck. Earning a spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2019, the “stunning” 97 pt. 2016 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge boasts “beautiful complexity and texture” according to Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson and Jeb Dunnuck calls the “classy, flawlessly balanced” 97 pt. 2017 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “a gem that readers should snatch up,” already drinking beautifully and age worthy for another three decades. James Suckling calls the 99 pt. 2018 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge the ”greatest ever,” a Cellar Selection conveying “plenty of longevity” according to the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss, and the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley declares the “exquisitely elegant” 97 pt. 2019 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge “a magical wine in the making” describing it as “a masterclass in what contemporary Bordeaux can deliver and worth a special effort to seek out.”

Calling Domaine de Chevalier “one of the true elite yet under the radar properties in Bordeaux,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous declares the work of superstar consultants Stephane Derenoncourt on the red and Denis Dubourdieu on the white, “shows in wines of pedigree, class and nuance,” making it no secret that stocking the cellar with these unbeatably priced Domaine de Chevalier blends will reward Bordeaux lovers with seriously enjoyable drinking for years to come.

97JD

97JS

96WS #23 Top 100

96WE

95V

As to the reds, the 2016 Domaine de Chevalier is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc that saw an extended maceration, malo in barrel, and 18 months in just 35% new French oak. This deep purple-hued beauty boasts a powerful bouquet of tobacco smoke, damp earth, gravelly, rocky minerality, wood smoke, and loads of dark fruits. Full-bodied, deep, concentrated yet incredibly elegant and seamless on the palate, it’s a legendary Chevalier in the making. While I rated this as high as 99 points on one of the four separate occasions I was able to taste it, I’m being conservative with the score. it has some upfront charm but needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will keep for 3-4 decades.

97 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2019)

Aromas of blackberries, red and dark plums, cedar and gravel, as well as red flowers and brown-leaf tea. It offers a very sleek and powerful array of ripe dark fruit and a very plush, focused and elegant bed of fresh, fine and powerful tannins. Plenty of aging potential, this is still quite tight. A blend of 55 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 35 per cent merlot, five per cent cabernet franc and five per cent petit verdot. Try from 2024.

97 points, James Suckling (Feb 2019)

The core of fruit flavor here is sappy and dense, with lots of kirsch, raspberry pâte de fruit and plum reduction notes, yet this stays fresh and racy overall, with a bright iron spine, flashes of tea and tobacco and a long finish that shows a wonderful infusion of alder and tobacco flavors. Offers a lovely combination of prodigious fruit details, with a tug of earth. Best from 2024 through 2038. 12,000 cases made.

96 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2019)

#23 - Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2019

This elegant wine wears its firm tannic structure lightly. It is densely textured, just starting on its road to maturity. Black-plum and berry fruits give the wine its weight as much as the tannins. It will age well over many years. Drink from 2026.

96 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (May 2019)

The 2016 Domaine de Chevalier is a classy affair on the nose: nothing ambitious or self-aggrandizing, just beautifully defined black fruit laced with pine needles and wilted irises. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, filigreed tannin, pitch-perfect acidity and a captivating sense of mineralité toward the persistent finish. This is an outstanding Domaine de Chevalier, possessing a surfeit of pedigree and breeding.

95 points, Neal Martin, Vinous (Jan 2019)

Alcohol By Volume: 13.5%

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$84.88

Compare At: $89.99

47 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

This item is available in original wood case. Would you like to include the wood case in your order? There is an additional $12.00 shipping fee for wood cases.

Available in Original Wood Case of 6

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