Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan rouge 2020 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This is a property cherished 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 long 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 white “Esprit-de-Chevalier,” 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.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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

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 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.

James Suckling

About the wine:

The purity of the fruit is truly remarkable here, with notes of blackcurrant and blackberry, as well as hints of orange, stone, and granite. A breathtaking wine in many ways. Full-bodied, with very fine, polished, and pure tannins. A texture of great finesse. Plenty of primary fruit. It’s as if you were picking perfectly ripe grapes. Beautiful length. A wine with aging potential. Best enjoyed after 2030.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Domaine De Chevalier’s 2020 Grand Vin takes things up another notch and is set to become one of this estate’s legendary wines. Notes of pure blackcurrant, graphite, pencil lead, and burnt earth define its incredible aromas. It greets the palate with full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins—without any harsh edges—and a long, long finish. This pure, classic, and majestic Pessac-Léognan is every bit as good as the other wines of the vintage. Give it 4 to 6 years in the bottle, and it will continue to evolve for 50, 60, 70 years, or more. I love this wine. 2027–2077

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

The nose, with its intoxicating depth, offers beautiful, heady notes of blackberries, crushed strawberries, cherries, and graphite. The palate is juicy, bright, and elegant, with sumptuous, well-integrated tannins. This is a truly beautiful wine, with impressive presence all the way through its long finish. 2032–2062

Yves Beck

About the wine:

It is through its attention to detail and subtlety that the Domaine de Chevalier’s bouquet aims to shine. And it succeeds brilliantly! What definition, what complexity, and what a perfect balance between freshness and richness! The wine is inviting, full-bodied, and harmonious. Its tannins provide an ideal foundation and offer excellent aging potential. This Domaine de Chevalier will need time to fully reveal its many qualities, but it already demonstrates its greatness today. 2027–2045

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

As soon as the wine hits the glass, the nose reveals notes of black raspberry, cigar box, mint, oceanic hints, smoke, licorice, blackcurrant, blackberry, and bay leaves. On the palate, the wine reveals incredible fruit purity, dark chocolate, and layers of ripe black, red, and blue fruits—dense and sensually textured—that unfold harmoniously across the palate and linger for nearly 50 seconds. The palate is full of energy, volume, and depth, finishing with waves of red currants, crème de cassis, tobacco leaves, blackberries, savory herbs, and a slight hint of spearmint on the finish. This is clearly one of Domaine de Chevalier’s great vintages, which fans of the estate should run—not walk—to buy! Best enjoyed between 2026 and 2055.