L'Esprit de Chevalier Rouge Pessac-Léognan 2018

"95 points. Fantastic second wine of Domaine de Chevalier." - James Suckling

Domaine de Chevalier er i flyvende form. Da familien Bernard overtog slottet i 1983, forblev den gamle ejer Claude Ricard på slottet i 5 år som mentor for 23 år gamle Olivier Bernard. Sidstnævnte har siden løftet Chevalier helt op i verdenseliten, både når det gælder rød- og hvidvin.

Terroiret består af én tætplantet grusparcel i ly af omkringliggende skov. Her modner druerne optimalt, hvilket dog ingenlunde forhindrer Olivier Bernard i at finsortere over flere høstrunder - som var han producent af top Sauternes. Dyrkningen er i stor udtrækning biodynamisk, og det topmoderne vineri har allerede været fornyet ad flere omgange.

På Chevalier er selv ikke det bedste godt nok! Af samme grund har Olivier Bernard taget den i Bordeaux ret kontroversielle beslutning: at skifte traditionel korkprop ud med den nye, teknologiske DIAM-korkprop.

Anmeldelser af L'Esprit de Chevalier Rouge Pessac-Léognan 2014

95/100 James Suckling
"This is an extremely polished and refined young wine with gorgeous blackberry, blackcurrant, licorice, dark-chocolate and bark character. It’s full-bodied with ever so fine tannins and a long, long finish. Fantastic second wine of Domaine de Chevalier."

92-94/100 Jeb Dunnuck
"The second wine of this terrific estate in the Graves region of Bordeaux, the 2018 L'Esprit De Chevalier checks in as a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot that will spend 14 months in barrel. It offers a full-bodied, rounded, incredibly satisfying and sexy style as well as some exotic characteristics in its kirsch, blackcurrant, orange blossom, and liquid violet-like aromas and flavors. Elegant yet with ample fruit and texture, it’s ideal for drinking over the coming decade or more."

93/100 Wine Enthusist
"The second wine of Domaine de Chevalier, this shows all the richness of the vintage, with weighty tannins and a generous future. Blackberry fruits and a core that promises plenty of potential as the dryness softens contribute to what will be a richly structured, complex wine."

92/100 Antonio Galloni
"The 2018 L'Esprit de Chevalier is a gorgeous second wine from Domaine de Chevalier. Soft, pliant and so expressive, the 2018 is simply impeccable. The purity of the flavors is striking. Cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, mint and dried herbs add striking perfume to a core of supple red berry fruit. In a word: fabulous."

92/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
"Smoky dark red berries with cigar box, herbs, forest leaf and currants create an impressive perfume. On the palate, the wine is soft, silky, polished, refined and leaves with a juicy mouthful of fruit, dark cocoa, herbs and espresso beans. This is perfect for near term drinking while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop."

92/100 Falstaff
"Dark ruby, purple reflections, discreet brightening on the rim. Nose underlaid with a hint of nougat, black forest berry fruit, fine wood savouriness and smoky-nutty touch. Juicy cherry fruit on the palate, blackberry confit, well-integrated tannins, chocolaty touch on the finish with mineral-saltiness. A youthful food wine."

92/100 Vert de Vin Magazine
"The nose is elegant, fruity and offers freshness as well as a small power. It reveals notes of Boysen berry, graphite and small notes of red fruits (raspberry, ripe red berries)associated with fine touches of Cuben pepper as well as a very discreet hint of spices. The palate is fruity, mineral, well-balanced and offers freshness, a finely acidulous frame, a fine tension as well as a fine grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy/acidulous cassis, juicy/acidulous raspberry and small notes of juicy/acidulous blackberry associated with small touches of ripe red berries as well as fine hints of toasted, violet and a very discreet hint of vanilla. Tannins are elegant and very discreetly firm. Good length. Good persistence and gourmandize."

Om Domaine de Chevalier

Grand Vin: Domaine de Chevalier (Blanc & Rouge), Grand Cru Classé  (1959 Graves)
2. Vin: L’Esprit de Chevalier 
Beliggenhed: Léognan, Pessac-Léognan AOP 
Beplantet areal: 45 ha 
Plantede druesorter: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot | 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillon
Fadmodning Rød: 18-22 mdr. - 50% ny barrique | Hvid: 12-18 mdr. - 30% ny barrique