2014 Domaine de Chevalier
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 2:18 am
First i like the unicity of that estate, call "Domaine" instead of "Chateau", not common in Bordeaux. The owner, M. Bernard seems to be one of the most enthusiastic owner in Bordeaux, especially when you read dinner that Alex and Izak attend at Domaine de Chevalier. I discussed with Mr. Bernard in the UGC Montréal 2018, and he was a very nice person to discuss with.
Now the wine. Being a Grand Cru Classé de Graves, you know the terroir is normally a great one. Bizarrely, it is not a wine i tried that often, even if this wine has an excellent reputation as producing real complex genuine traditionnal Graves wines. But i believe others here that had some Domaine de Chevalier with some age and been completely impressed and satisfied, as the wines from Graves are so balanced, that they go through time with conviction.
I also know that like many in Bordeaux, Domaine de Chevalier has been taking the modern twist, while staying traditionnal (they all say that!), but like always, you have to try the wine to figure out yourself.
I decanted the 2014 Domaine de Chevalier for 3 hours. I didn't want it to be too closed or feel to young. And I match it with a superb meal, a moose roast with a light thyme and green pepper sauce. The game meat would probably be a good match, with the wine. The wine has a perfect (i mean really perfect) clear medium red color. The nose has medium power, but is interesting with blackberries, currants, light smoky meat, very light oak and light powder rocks. That last one, i can pick it easily as i liked to hit granite rockwall with a hammer when I was young. Medium to refined delicate nose. In mouth, even with air, the wine tasted young. The flavors are nice, with concentrated red berries, spicy red cherries, slightly glossy fruit. But combined with muscad spices, some vanilla oak, with a dry long tannic mineral finish. Acidity feels a bit artificial, the 13.5 % alcohol is just appearing at the very very end, with something black like dry plums. There is a little bump down in flavors on the midpalate, but the wine remains with elegance. It was an excellent match with the moose and sauce. Really merging beautifully with the meal. Way better with the meal than on his own. At the end, I think it is an excellent wine, and i probably tried it at a not too good age. Last week 2005 Chateau Duhart Milon moved me more (i know, better vintage and already 15 years old), but that young 2014 Domaine de Chevalier is true to the Graves, with just a good touch of modernity, but the balanced and stuff is there to improved in the next 8-15 years. Tn: 91+.
Nic
Now the wine. Being a Grand Cru Classé de Graves, you know the terroir is normally a great one. Bizarrely, it is not a wine i tried that often, even if this wine has an excellent reputation as producing real complex genuine traditionnal Graves wines. But i believe others here that had some Domaine de Chevalier with some age and been completely impressed and satisfied, as the wines from Graves are so balanced, that they go through time with conviction.
I also know that like many in Bordeaux, Domaine de Chevalier has been taking the modern twist, while staying traditionnal (they all say that!), but like always, you have to try the wine to figure out yourself.
I decanted the 2014 Domaine de Chevalier for 3 hours. I didn't want it to be too closed or feel to young. And I match it with a superb meal, a moose roast with a light thyme and green pepper sauce. The game meat would probably be a good match, with the wine. The wine has a perfect (i mean really perfect) clear medium red color. The nose has medium power, but is interesting with blackberries, currants, light smoky meat, very light oak and light powder rocks. That last one, i can pick it easily as i liked to hit granite rockwall with a hammer when I was young. Medium to refined delicate nose. In mouth, even with air, the wine tasted young. The flavors are nice, with concentrated red berries, spicy red cherries, slightly glossy fruit. But combined with muscad spices, some vanilla oak, with a dry long tannic mineral finish. Acidity feels a bit artificial, the 13.5 % alcohol is just appearing at the very very end, with something black like dry plums. There is a little bump down in flavors on the midpalate, but the wine remains with elegance. It was an excellent match with the moose and sauce. Really merging beautifully with the meal. Way better with the meal than on his own. At the end, I think it is an excellent wine, and i probably tried it at a not too good age. Last week 2005 Chateau Duhart Milon moved me more (i know, better vintage and already 15 years old), but that young 2014 Domaine de Chevalier is true to the Graves, with just a good touch of modernity, but the balanced and stuff is there to improved in the next 8-15 years. Tn: 91+.
Nic