L'Esprit de Chevalier 2012 - Second vin du Domaine de Chevalier

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This is a highly regarded estate, boasting a superb, contiguous vineyard surrounding the château—one of the best-cultivated in the Bordeaux region. Olivier Bernard is a tireless ambassador for Bordeaux wines around the world. He is also one of those who knows the value of his product most intimately, thanks to daily tastings with the estate’s countless visitors—a pioneer in welcoming the public. The whites are the most distinguished in the region, while the reds are models of Bordeaux classicism in their balance and flavor. The latest reds are very impressive for their added body and complexity. Beautiful nuances, tension, and energy define the white Spirit of the Knight, which is the perfect reflection of a great wine. The 2016, 2017, and 2018 vintages, both red and white, are simply at the pinnacle; the estate richly deserves to be awarded a 5-star rating.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

This white wine retains plenty of freshness and elegance, with a very pleasant smoothness on the finish.

About the estate:

Since 1983, the Bernard family has spared no effort to keep this beautiful estate among the appellation’s top producers. Thanks to state-of-the-art equipment and a vineyard that has now reached the maturity needed to produce exceptional grapes, the wines are impeccable, both white and red. The vineyard, located in one of the appellation’s cooler areas on the edge of the Landes Forest, is tended like a garden. The white grapes are sorted with extreme care, and their vinification has become considerably more sophisticated, without altering the style or class of this highly regarded wine. Chevalier embodies finesse and elegance, without compromising its aging potential.

James Suckling