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Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 1996

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

Tasted at the château, the 1996 Domaine de Chevalier certainly surpassed my expectations even though I would caution that I think Olivier Bernard has made better vintages since then. Deep in color, the nose is quite captivating with black fruit, brine and crushed stone. I like the strictness here -- very 1996 in style. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a svelte texture. The bead of acidity lends this tension although I found that finish surprisingly backward and just lacked that peacock's tail that would have warranted a higher score. Of course, there is a chance that this could come with time because it is undeniably very well balanced and pure. It just needs a bit more ... ambition. Tasted July 2016.

Score: 90

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2035 28 October 2016

While I have been critical of Domaine de Chevalier, because the wines have contained entirely too much aggressive oak for the amount of fruit, recent vintages reveal a more subtle touch with the wood. The 1996 has turned out beautifully from the bottle. It is an exceptionally elegant wine, with well-integrated oak, and tobacco-tinged, cherry and cassis fruit. It appears to be a return to the style of the seventies and early eighties. Lush, with excellent concentration, a beautiful texture, and a flattering, potentially complex aromatic profile, this medium-bodied wine should be at its finest between 2003-2016.

Score: 88

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2003-2016 30 April 1999

This deep ruby-colored wine tastes somewhat stripped, overly wooded, and excessively tannic, but some berry fruit can be found underneath the abundant wood and tannin. The wine possesses medium body, and good weight on the palate, but the vintage's trademark hardness and astringency cannot be dismissed. This wine is a likely candidate to dry out over the next decade.

Score: 84 - 86

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 1997