Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan rouge 2025 - Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

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 commune, 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 top of their game; 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 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.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier was harvested from September 11 to 26, with a yield of 38 hl/ha and an alcohol content of 12.5%. The nose is fragrant, with notes of raspberry, blackcurrant, and subtle hints of iris, against a hint of truffle in the background. You’ll need to be patient, as this wine “opens up” in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, with grainy tannins. Very harmonious, typically Pessac, with black fruit aromas over notes of gravel, an almost velvety texture, but a thoroughly respectable structure with just the right amount of bite on the finish. It will require less bottle aging than, say, the 2020 or the 2022, but it possesses real complexity and a certain classicism. It is Domaine de Chevalier, after all. 2030–2060

James Suckling

About the wine:

The fruit's richness comes through fully, with medium body and a profusion of aromas of berries, chocolate, nuts, and bark. Smooth and refined, it offers a beautiful texture and a long, almost endless finish. Smooth and precise. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

With excellent intensity, the bouquet of the 2025 Domaine de Chevalier stands out for its complexity and its ability to bridge the gap between notes of ripe fruit and floral nuances, while a hint of oak aging subtly lingers in the background. The velvety texture of the opening sets the stage for a smooth, seamless progression. The tannins reveal themselves gradually, reaching the peak of their power on the finish. They provide exceptional structure and anchor the finish with an acidity that is both structuring and refreshing. A full-bodied and expressive wine driven by incisive and luminous character traits. 2030–2060