2012 Domaine de Chevalier rouge - Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru Classe

Falstaff Magazin - 92pts - PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezenter Wasserrand, einladender reifer Fruchtschmelz, dunkle Kirschen, feiner Zwetschkentouch, kandierte Orangenzesten, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, rotbeerig und frisch, elegante Textur, sehr harmonisch, feine Tannine, Kirschen im Abgang, dezenter Schokonachhall, verfügt über Entwicklungspotenzial.* - 02/2015

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 92+pts - RP: *Very floral and elegant with raspberry and blackcurrant fruit mixed with toasty oak/vanillin, followed by a medium to full-bodied, stylish, polished wine that is the quintessentially refined style of Pessac-Léognan. Nevertheless, the complexity and nuance has yet to fully emerge. This medium to full-bodied Domaine de Chevalier is poised for a bright future. It is tight and backward now, as well as restrained aromatically, but everything is there for the future. Forget it for 5-7 years and drink it over the following 30 years.* - 04/2015
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - (92-95)pts - RP: *One of the stars of the vintage, it boasts a dense purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of red and black currants, graphite, subtle flowers and well-integrated, toasty oak. Impressively built rich and medium to full-bodied without losing the quintessential elegance and finesse for which this famous estate is renowned, the 2012 Domaine de Chevalier is filled with purity, equilibrium and balance. The tannins are sweet enough that this wine should be accessible when released, and will last for 15-20 years. Is this a modern day clone of their brilliant 1953 (which I drank from magnum at Bern’s Steak House in November for less than $500!)? I was joking with proprietor Olivier Bernard, who is now the president of the Union des Grands Crus, that his position seems to be accompanied by much higher scores from wine critics. Nevertheless, there is no question that Domaine de Chevalier has been on a relatively hot streak lately, and this 2012 is a beauty.*
- 04/2013

Vinum Magazin – 18/20pts: *Hat durch den Ausbau an Komplexität und Schliff gewonnen, superbes aromatisches Potential, grosse Rasse: unbedingt reifen lassen.* - 09/2013

Weinwisser - 17/20pts - RG: *Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Ein Traumbouquet, fein laktisch und somit fast buttrige Konturen, Kirschen, Himbeeren, von der Süsse her einen ganz feinen Touch Grenadine zeigend, Kokosnuancen. Im Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, delikate Tannine, alles ist im Finessenbereich. Vielleicht letztendlich doch mehr eine ganz faire Jahrgangsvariante als um jeden Preis aufzufallen. So richtig im Stil der Domaine. Kann noch zulegen.* - 04/2013

(04/13): *Fresh and nicely polished, with a rounded feel to the mix of plum skin, cherry preserve and
currant notes. Alluring spice and dark tea notes fill in the finish. Sneakily long. —J.M. (90-93/100)*

JancisRobinson.com – 16,5/20pts – JR: *Tasted blind. Fresh, relaxed fruit. Lots of supple roundness. Just a hint of asperity but good drive and energy.* - 01/2020

JamesSuckling.com - 94pts - JS: *Extremely complex with cinnamon, dried fruits and dried flowers. Full body, super-integrated tannins and a silky, polished finish. Very impressive. Better in 2018 but very beautiful already.* - 02/2015

Vinous.com - 93pts - AG: *In a vintage in which so many wines are open and forward, Domaine de Chevalier's 2012 Rouge is anything but. As readers know, these wines are capable of aging for decades. The 2012 will certainly need at least a few years in bottle to blossom. With time in the glass, scents of chalk, game, smoke, incense and red cherry jam begin to appear, followed by a hint of white pepper that adds aromatic lift. This is a gorgeous wine from Domaine de Chevalier and proprietor Olivier Bernard, but readers should not be in a hurry. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Stéphane Derenoncourt is the consultant.* - 01/2016

RobertParker.com - (92-94)pts - NM: *Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. The Domaine de Chevalier has a lovely understated, very pure, quite feminine bouquet with seamlessly integrated oak that neatly encases the blackberry and blueberry fruit. There is a floral note that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins. There is a real backbone to this Pessac-Leognan, although the structured is disguised behind layers of velvety tannins. Gorgeous - but it deserves several years in the cellar. Tasted April 2013.* - 05/2013