Appellations

Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2021

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

GBP Price: Size Quantities Units status Actions
Tasting Notes

The 2021 Domaine de Chevalier comes across as quite shy and reticent in this vintage. The aromatics are beguiling, but on the palate, the wine feels a bit strict and clamped down. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, spice, mint and blood orange emerge, but only with great reluctance. It will be interesting to see how the 2021 develops over time. Tasted twice.

Score: 94 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2031-2061 Date: 27 February 2024

The 2021 Domaine de Chevalier has a beautifully defined bouquet with blackberry, pencil box and light oyster shell scents that gradually unfurl in the glass. This is unashamedly classic in style but not old-fashioned. The palate is very well defined with a taut line of acidity, very fresh and focused, revealing just a dab of black pepper and clove toward the finish. This is a succinctly styled Domaine de Chevalier that will age gracefully in bottle.

Score: 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2055 Date: 22 February 2024

You can relax with Domaine de Chevalier in difficult vintages, and it is one of the few successes across both colours in 2021. The aromatics are a little closed, but the flavour and texture on the palate is immediately gripping. Slate, wet stones, controlled delivery of citrus, cold ash, gunsmoke, white peach, apple. Stretches out through the palate and is one of the wines of the vintage. Owner Olivier Bernard.

Score: 95 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2026-2040 Date: 21 February 2024

Deep purplish crimson. Savoury nose with something more complex than just fruit. Good density and depth though still a little oak evidence (hardly surprisingly). Tingly finish. Polished tannins. Really quite fine and not lacking anything. Bone dry and on the refreshing side but it really doesn’t taste like a wine from a less-than-successful vintage. Good weight and balance in the mouth. Refreshing but not austere.

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2028-2045 Date: 11 May 2022

A medium-bodied DC with a pretty core of ripe fruit that shows licorice, blackberry and some currant character. Spice box, too. Very long, with fine tannins and plenty of energy.

Score: 95 - 96 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 01 May 2022

The 2021 Domaine de Chevalier is full of promise, bursting with aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with loamy soil, bay leaf, licorice, potpourri and spices. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and complete, its velvety attack segues into a lively, layered core, concluding with a long, nicely defined finish. Olivier Bernard doesn't think that this will surpass his 2018, but I tend to disagree. The 2021 is a blend of fully 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Score: 93 - 95 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 29 April 2022

A true success in the vintage is the 2021 Domaine de Chevalier from the team of Olivier Bernard. Based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it was harvested between the September 28 and October 12. It will spend 18 months in a mix of new and used barrels. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and focused, with the style of the vintage front and center, it has gorgeous cassis and darker fruits, notes of tobacco and violets, ripe tannins, a great mid-palate, and outstanding length. It's up there with the top wines in the vintage.

Score: 93 - 95 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 06 February 2022