2017 Domaine de Chevalier rouge - Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru Classe

Michel Bettane - 17pkt. MB: *Finesse certaine, noblesse tannique garantie, vin harmonieux, long, très typé du domaine. *

Decanter - 94 pts - JA: *This stands out among many of the Pessacs this year, with plenty of depth on evidence, and a more obvious personality than most. The liquorice root, cigar and grilled almond notes are perfectly woven through the cassis and bilberry fruit, and here you can feel a slight ripple through the palate, while the tannins have presence and are alive. This feels poised, like it can stretch its wings and go the distance. A great job in this vintage.* - 04/2018

Falstaff Magazin – 92 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung und Bukett, reife Kirschen, ein Hauch von Zwetschken, dezent nach Kräutern und etwas Edelholz. Straff, elegant, rotbeerig und frisch, finessenreich, eher ein Leichtgewicht, harmonisch, Nougat im Nachhall, wird jung zu trinken sein, ein facettenreicher Speisenbegleiter.* - 05/2018

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - (93-95+)pts - LPB: *Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Domaine de Chevalier opens with a cedary waft giving way to a good core of crushed black currants, blackberries and mulberries with suggestions of black truffles, tilled soil and black olives plus a hint of smoked meats. Medium-bodied with a good, solid frame of ripe, fine-grained tannins and oodles of freshness, it is elegantly fruited yet well sustained on the mid-palate and long finish. *

Vinum Magazin – 17/20pts: *Fruchtige Noten von Kirsche, dann ausbaugeprägter; harmonischer Bau, ideale Dichte und Länge, feinkörniges Tannin; hat zu erfreulicher Harmonie gefunden.* - 09/2020

Weinwisser – 18,5/20pts - WL: *Dichtes Purpur mit rubinroten Reflexen. Betörendes Bouquet nach Schattenmorellen und reifen Brombeeren, dahinter würziges Cassis, Schokopralinen und exotische Hölzer. Am eleganten Gaumen mit stützendem, reifem Tannin, betörender Extraktsüsse und weicher Textur. Im aromatischen Finale ein Crescendo aus schwarzen Johannisbeeren, Lakritze und Pinienharz. Finesse, Finesse, Finesse – hier geht es einen halben Punkt nach oben!* – 04/2020

JancisRobinson.com – 17/20pts – TP: *Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Bursting with red cherry and hints of violet on the nose, there is intrigue and joy here. The palate shows much flesh and vibrancy, with plump red berries at the core. The acid is positively zesty yet lifts the fruit into floral tones rather than washing away the flavour. Fleet-footed and long on the finish. A wine that transparently exhibits the better elements of this vintage.* - 09/2021

JamesSuckling.com - 93-94pts - JS: *This is really delicious and round with soft and ripe tannins. Full body and juicy fruit. Shows ripeness and balance. A pretty wine to watch for the future. *
JamesSuckling.com - 96pts - JS: *Lots of blueberry, hot-stone, slate and walnut aromas. Terracotta, too. Iodine. Full-bodied, round and dense with layers of fine tannins. Lovely depth and intensity. Extremely long and focused. Needs three or four years of bottle age just to start. Try after 2024.* - 12.2020

Vinous.com - 93 pts - NM: * The 2017 Domaine de Chevalier was impressive from barrel. Bottled since June 2019, it has clearly retained that gorgeous nose with delineated scents of blackberry, black olive, shucked oyster shells and orange rind. Wonderful vigour here. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, lithe and very focused. It is not a powerful nor indeed a long-term Domaine de Chevalier, ergo my lower score than 2016. Bottom line is that it is just a delicious wine to consume. Still, it will offer 20 years of drinking pleasure. Tasted twice with consistent notes.* 02/2020

Wine Journal - 92-94pts - NM: *The 2017 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge was cropped at 34hl/ha between 11 and 29 September and is matured in 35% new oak for 18 months. It has a vivacious bouquet with quite generous black fruit, raspberry, brine and black olive that is well-defined and focused, if not possessing the complexity of the previous two vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, slightly edgy tannin - layers of black fruit interlaced with melted tar and graphite, closing in a little towards the finish with a gentle grip. I appreciate the deft manner in which this fans out and leaves a mineral residue on the finish. A Domaine de Chevalier of refinement rather than power, one with “buvabilité” or “drinkability”. *

Jeff Leve -94pkt. JL: *Smoke, incense, blackberry, dark cherry and a slight hint of fig in the background create an aromatic profile. This wine shows ripe fruits, sweetness, freshness and gentle tannins. In a perfect scenario the finish would be longer but this is truly a very fine wine that will shine with just a few years in the cellar. Made from a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13.5% alcohol. The higher than usual percentage of Cabernet in the blend is due to damage from the frost.*