Marks and reviews
Description
The producer
Owned by the Bernard family since 1983, the beautiful Domaine de Chevalier is one of the finest Bordeaux Crus Classes. Like a secret garden, this iconic vineyard located in the Pessac-Leognan appellation, to the south of Bordeaux, is surrounded by a green haven.
The vineyard
Domaine de Chevalier watches over a rare vineyard comprising 5 hectares of white vines. A true patchwork of terroirs, the Domaine de Chevalier vineyard is composed of black sand and fine white gravel soil and rests on a perfectly drained clay-gravel subsoil.
The vintage
A dry, cold winter preceded a particularly dry spring. The low rainfall during the months of June and July was offset by a rather cold month of August. Punctuated by two major rainy spells, these ideal weather condition persisted from the end of August until the 15th of October. The beginning of the harvest was delayed and the ideal climate made up for the lack of sunshine during the summer months.
The vinification and aging
The grapes are harvested by hand and undergo successive selections based on their ripeness levels. Alcoholic fermentation is carried out in barrels, as is the 18-month aging period (1/3 new barrels), with regular stirring of the lees.
The blend
The dry white wine by Domaine de Chevalier 2002 comprises a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (80%) and Semillon (20%).
The tasting
Color
Clear and brilliant, the golden color is adorned with pale green highlights.
Nose
A perfect marriage between complexity, purity and finesse, the nose presents a rich and intense aromatic palette. Exotic white fruits, flowers, mint and lime blossom are all fragrances that harmoniously blend a remarkable minerality with aromas of gunflint, flint and quartz.
Palate
A lively attack precedes a full and expressive palate. The palate reveals with finesse and freshness aromas of candied white fruit, fig, almond and hazelnut butter. Persistent, the finish is silky and fruity.
Storage
This fine Pessac-Leognan white wine can be kept in the cellar until around 2022-2023 in order to reveal its full aromatic richness.