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

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 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

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 stunning 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 perfectly ripe grapes were being picked. A lovely finish. A wine for aging. Drink 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, lingering 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 age 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 bouquet of Domaine de Chevalier aims to shine. And it succeeds brilliantly! Such definition, complexity, and balance between freshness and richness. The wine is inviting, full-bodied, and harmonious. Its tannins provide ideal structure 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 influences, smoke, licorice, blackcurrant, blackberry, and bay leaves. On the palate, the wine exudes incredible fruit purity, dark chocolate, and layers of ripe black, red, and blue fruits—dense and sensually textured—that unfold harmoniously on the palate and linger for nearly 50 seconds. The palate is full of energy, volume, and depth, and finishes 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.