Red Domaine de Chevalier 2014

A refined and intensely aromatic Graves Cru Classé

The estate

Owned by the Bernard family since 1983, the beautiful Domaine de Chevalier is at the top of the list of the finest Bordeaux Crus Classés. The estate, located in a green haven south of Bordeaux, is an unmissable reference among the great wines of Pessac-Léognan.

The vineyard

Domaine de Chevalier looks after a rare vineyard comprising 45 hectares of vines dedicated to the production of red wine. The vineyard is made up of vines that are 30 years old on average and is planted on a gravelly soil with a clay and gravel subsoil.

The vintage

The mild weather at the beginning of the year, combined with an early spring, advanced the flowering period which occurred at the beginning of June. The summer saw stormy and humid weather conditions until the end of August, delaying the grape ripening. An Indian summer set in from the end of August to the end of October, combining strong sunshine with dry winds which ensured a healthy concentration of the grapes. The cool nights enabled the grapes to reach full ripeness, thus refining the tannins.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes were harvested by hand in small crates and were sorted successively based on their level of ripeness. Rigorous selection was carried out in the vineyard and then in the cellar both before and after destemming. The vinification was carried out in a plot-by-plot manner in small tulip-shaped tanks, thus ensuring an optimal extraction. The wine was aged in barrels (1/3 are new oak) for 16 to 18 months, with regular stirring of the lees during the first 4 months.

Blend

Cabernet sauvignon (65%)
Merlot (30%)
Petit verdot (5%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for Domaine de Chevalier 2014

Tasting

With its deep colour, this great Pessac-Léognan red wine entices with its smooth palate, its intense, fruity expression and its great delicateness.