Press review

Parker # 194 (5/1/2011) : 93 Maturity: -2034

One of the fabulous sleepers of the vintage and a wine for serious Bordeaux afficionados to consider buying, the 2008 is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot that achieved 13.5% natural alcohol. Surprisingly backward for a 2008, it is medium to full-bodied with moderate tannins, lots of purity and abundant charcoal, black currant and floral notes. The sweetness of the fruit, depth of flavor and textured, lush mouthfeel in this medium to full-bodied, ageworthy 2008 are impressive.

The property in brief

The Domaine de Chevalier, located in Leognan, the capital of Graves, has a long history. It appears on the map of the geographer and engineer Pierre de Belleyme drawn in 1763 under the name "Chibaley" (meaning knight, in the Gascon language). In 1983, the estate is purchased by the Bernard family, Number 1 in France on the spirits market and a major merchant of premium Bordeaux wines. It has been run ever since by Olivier Bernard. In line with the history of Chevalier, he perpetuates that spirit of balance and the constant drive for perfection which, over the last 130 years, have been the hallmark of this outstanding wine. The red Domaine de Chevalier, the flagship of the Pessac-Leognan appellation, belongs to the elite of the great classified growths of Bordeaux. The white Domaine de Chevalier, with the unusual feature of being remarkably well suited for cellaring, is recognized as one of the world's finest dry white wines.