Domaine de Chevalier - Grand Cru Classé de Graves 2016

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A wonderfully complex, subtle, and expressive nose, offering floral, fruity, and mineral notes; the palate lives up to expectations, with a silky texture, smoothness, and fullness, yet without any harshness. Length, power, refinement, freshness, and balance—it has it all. A truly great wine, the very embodiment of what a great Pessac should be.

About the estate:

This is a universally admired estate, boasting a superb, contiguous vineyard surrounding the château, among the finest cultivated in the Bordeaux region. Olivier Bernard is a tireless ambassador for Bordeaux wines worldwide. He is also one of those who most intimately understands the value of their product, thanks to daily tastings with the estate's countless visitors, a pioneer in welcoming the public. The whites are the most elegant in the appellation, the reds models of Bordeaux classicism in their proportions and flavor. The latest reds are particularly impressive for their added body and complexity. Beautiful nuances, tension, and energy characterize the white wine, which perfectly reflects the greatness of the wine. The 2016, 2017, and 2018 vintages, both red and white, are simply exceptional; the estate richly deserves its 5-star rating.

Decanter

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2016 Domaine de Chevalier is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts with warm, expressive plums, blueberry compote, and blackcurrant aromas, with hints of sandalwood, baking spices, and potpourri. Medium-bodied and delicately structured yet with a rock-solid framework of grainy tannins, it displays understated earthy fruit and a long finish.

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

About the wine:

The 2016 red is absolutely magnificent; it boasts tannins of a softness and precision never before achieved here. A pure, elegant, and very smooth wine.

About the estate:

Since 1983, the Bernard family has dedicated themselves to maintaining this magnificent estate at the forefront of the appellation. Thanks to state-of-the-art equipment and a vineyard that has now reached the maturity necessary to produce exceptional grapes, the wines are impeccable, both white and red. Located in one of the cooler areas of the appellation, bordering the Landes forest, the vineyard is tended with meticulous care. The white grapes are sorted with extreme precision, 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.

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

This elegant wine carries its firm tannic structure with ease. It has a dense texture and is just beginning its journey toward maturity. Black plum and berry notes lend the wine as much depth as the tannins. It will age well for many years. Best enjoyed in 2026.

Jancis Robinson

Vinous

James Suckling

Jeb Dunnuck

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

Fresh red berries, zan, floral notes. A rich, fruity, full-bodied wine with very smooth tannins.