Domaine de Chevalier 2020

The powerful, fruity and balanced intensity of a Graves Classified Growth

The estate

Owned by the Bernard family since 1983, the magnificent Domaine de Chevalier is one of the greatest Classified Growths of Bordeaux. This iconic estate of the Pessac-Léognan appellation is located in a verdant setting south of Bordeaux.

The vineyard

Domaine de Chevalier boasts a rare vineyard comprising 60 hectares of red vines. The vineyard is made of vines which are aged by 35 years on average and planted in gravelly soil with clayey-gravelly subsoils.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage was marked by a harvest of exceptional quality and perfectly ripe grapes. The year was characterised by its early flowering and harvests due to the particularly sunny weather. Indeed, the vineyard benefited from abundant rain in spring before going through a hot and dry summer, bringing the berries to an ideally ripe state.

The winemaking and ageing

After manual harvests in crates during which sorting occurs at the vineyard, the berries are sorted for a second time on a table with optical sorting. Then, the grapes are placed in gravity-fed thermoregulated vats for alcoholic fermentation. Manual punching down is carried out. Vatting lasts for around 3 weeks at a maximum temperature of 30 degrees in a stainless steel vat, a steel-aluminium vat, a conical concrete vat and a wooden vat. To finish, the wine ferments in vats before ageing in 35% new barrels for 18 months, of which 4 months are on lees.

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (27%), Petit Verdot (5%), Cabernet Franc (3%).

Tasting

Colour

The 2020 Domaine de Chevalier reveals a deep and bright dark red colour, black at the core.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet is marked by a flowery and fruity expression. Black cherry, blackcurrant and blueberry are picked up by touches of finely peppered and vanilla spices, as well as earthy hints.

Palate

The 2020 Domaine de Chevalier is a powerful, balanced and intense wine thanks to its concentration and freshness. Density is immediately felt in the palate, with fleshy but fine tannins. This cuvée is sustained by the great elegance of its tannins and its remarkable, fruity expression. All the components are gathered together to make a great vintage for ageing.