Domaine de Chevalier - Grand Cru Classé de Graves 2017

This is a property held in high esteem by all, featuring 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 understands the value of his product most intimately, thanks to daily tastings with the estate’s countless visitors—the estate has been a pioneer in welcoming the public. The whites are the most refined in the appellation, while the reds are paragons of Bordeaux classicism in their balance and flavor. The latest reds are particularly impressive for their added body and complexity. Beautiful nuances, tension, and energy define the “esprit-de-chevalier” white, which perfectly embodies the essence of a great wine. The 2016, 2017, and 2018 vintages—both reds and whites—are simply at their peak; the estate richly deserves a 5-star rating.

The 2017 Domaine de Chevalier has a deep garnet-purple color with a nose of baked plums, black cherry compote, fruitcake, and violets, as well as earthy notes and hints of rosehip tea. Medium-bodied, the palate is full of fruit with soft, round tannins and a lively finish. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, this vintage spent 18 months in French oak barrels, 35% of which were new.

This red wine is classic, well-structured, and complex on the palate, with a lovely, smoky finish.

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 age necessary 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 the winemaking process 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.

Plenty of aromas of blueberry, warm stone, slate, and nuts. Terracotta, too. Iodic. Full-bodied, round, and dense with layers of fine tannins. Beautiful depth and intensity. Extremely long and concentrated. It needs three or four years of bottle aging before drinking. Try it after 2024.

A full-bodied, rich, intense, and well-balanced wine with a hint of saltiness.