Domaine De Chevalier

Domaine De Chevalier is a Bordeaux wine estate that produces red wines: the vineyard covers 55 hectares for reds, primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. For white wines, Domaine de Chevalier has only 6 hectares of vineyards planted with Sémillon and Sauvignon.

Domaine De Chevalier is a renowned estate, it is among the Graves Classified Growths. It is recognized as such because it is classified for both white and red wines in the elite of Graves and Pessac-Léognan crus, the appellation that encompasses them.

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The history of Domaine De Chevalier

  

In the 17th century, the estate was known as Domaine de Chivaley (knight in Gascon) and only had a few vine stocks at the time. It was during the 19th century that the estate experienced its true expansion thanks to the Ricard family, who would reign over the estate for nearly 120 years. In 1865, Arnaud Ricard bought the estate and is today considered the founder of the vineyard. In 1900, his son-in-law Gabriel Beaumartin succeeded him and over forty years, truly established the reputation of the estate's wines. Finally, Claude Ricard managed the property from 1948 to 1983, and thanks to him, the estate joined the Graves Classified Growths classification in 1953.

  

In 1983, the Bernard family group, specialized in spirits and Bordeaux grand crus trading, purchased Domaine De Chevalier. Numerous investments were made both in the vineyard and in the cellars. Today, Olivier Bernard heads the estate, accompanied by Antoine Roulier as cellar master.

  

What are the characteristics of Domaine De Chevalier wines

 

The total vineyard area is 61 hectares, with 55 in red and 6 in white. The red vineyard's grape varieties consist of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. For the white vineyard, it comprises 70% Sauvignon and 30% Semillon. The vineyard density is notably much higher than average at 10,000 vines per hectare (the appellation average is 6,500).

 

The red wine aging process takes place entirely in barrels. For the grand vin, the aging period in barrels varies from 14 to 24 months, with a proportion of 40 to 60% new oak, depending on the vintage's power. The transfers from one barrel to another (racking) are carried out using the "fine" method, where the wine is transferred directly from barrel to barrel by gravity. Bottling takes place in June. For white wine, the aging process takes place on lees, becoming increasingly fine until the end of the first summer. Then, the wine spends a second winter in barrels, during which it naturally clarifies. Thus, when bottling in spring, the wine only requires very light filtration.

 

Here's how Olivier Bernard, the estate owner, describes his wine himself: "The red wine of Chevalier possesses a natural structure based on finesse, elegance, but also great complexity and a marked ability to age that doesn't exclude a certain suppleness in its youth. Always balanced, never aggressive, power is not its priority"

 

Regarding white wines, he adds: "The type of vinification we conduct does not seek to emphasize fruit at all costs. The quality of extraction, the duration of barrel aging, produce very complex wines, never heavy, with beautiful freshness and great aromatic persistence that opens like a peacock's tail in the finish... We play with time, creating a great wine for aging"

  

What are the other wines from Domaine De Chevalier?

 

Since 1986, the estate produces a second wine (in both red and white) called "Esprit de Chevalier" made with the same expertise as the grand vin but from younger vines. The aging differs from the grand vin: 12 months in 2-year-old barrels for the red.

 

The best vintages of Domaine De Chevalier

 

The best red vintages are the following: Domaine de Chevalier 1953, 1955, 1959, 1962, 1975, 1985 as well as 2005 and 2009.

 

Regarding the whites, notable vintages include: Domaine de Chevalier blanc 1929, 1959, 1971, 1990, 2000 and 2001.

 

Food and wine pairings

 

The red Domaine De Chevalier pairs very well with leg of lamb, red meat, game, and hard cheeses.

 

The white Domaine De Chevalier pairs wonderfully with shellfish and seafood, white meats, and raw milk cheeses.

 

Estate's website

 

www.domainedechevalier.com

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