Domaine de Chevalier red - Pessac-Léognan 2005

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

A glorious wine from Domaine de Chevalier, this 2005 reveals notes of graphite, subtle charcoal, blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, silky tannins, and a long, multi-dimensional finish. This is a killer effort from the Bernard family, who own this famous terroir in Pessac-Léognan. Drink it over the next 20-30 years.

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/9/2015

Very dark crimson. Broad spread of aromas – really rather like Petrus in that respect (though not in build). Classic, non-showy palate that has a notable charge of tannins. Very clean and bracing but with a most impressive nose. 

13% Drink 2018-2040

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5 / 20

the10/20/2014

Austère au nez, le vin est encore très fermé. Même sensation en bouche. Mais il est indéniable que cette bouteille possède de la densité. Attendre au minimum cinq ans.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/18/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This Domaine de Chevalier is far superior to the one Olivier Bernard showed at the château, mainly because it is much more refined and less ostentatious than before. It has a well-defined nose with blackberry, black olive compote and some well integrated new oak. Nice lift. The palate is very supple with clean, pure black fruit. Refined, nicely focused, a little closed on the finish but it does have panache, with a harmonious, elegant on the finish. I initially though this may not turn out as fine as Haut-Bailly or Pape-Clement, but here I must stand corrected. Drink 2011-2025. Tasted January 2009.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/3/2009

A deep garnet hue. A very seductive nose with very pure black fruits, still dominated by some unresolved vanillary new oak and hint of black olive tapenade. Good delineation, but this is a bouquet that has barely got going. The palate is medium-bodied with vibrant blackberries, cassis and a touch of Doris plum. Good acidity, a slight opulence but with good structure on the finish. A little clipped on the slightly tart, bitter finish. Perhaps just a little over-extracted? A very nice wine but not as good as say Haut-Bailly or Pape-Clément. Drink 2010-2020+ Tasted September 2008.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Good red-ruby. Plum, flint, smoke, tobacco, menthol and nutty oak on the nose. Fat, sweet, plummy and rich; offers unusual volume for this property, not to mention terrific depth of flavor. A large-scaled, very supple Domaine de Chevalier that finishes with substantial ripe tannins. This should evolve slowly but should be less austere in its youth than the wines made here before Stephane Derenoncourt was brought in as consultant.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/5/2008

Perhaps the finest wine made at this estate in many years (no doubt due to the influence of wine consulting guru Stephane Derenoncourt), the 2005 is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with tiny portions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A dark ruby/purple hue is followed by a classic Graves bouquet of charcoal, graphite, creosote, smoked herbs, sweet black cherries, and spice box. The wine is elegant on the attack, but fills out beautifully with a multilayered, rich mouthfeel, silky tannins, and a plush, opulent finish. This brilliant claret may turn out to be even better than my score suggests. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030+.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/15/2008

Displays floral, blackberry and mineral aromas, with a hint of fresh tobacco. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a long, caressing finish. Has a fine, polished texture. This a class act - the best since 1998 for the red. Best after 2012.

Jancis Robinson

17.50 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe11/21/2007

Intense, sweet ripe fruit. Firm and deliciously fresh yet gentle. Smooth tannins, subtle and lingering.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/3/2007

Now consulting at Domaine de Chevalier, Stephane Derenoncourt appears to have tamed the blatant oakiness evident in previous vintages as the 2005 is one of the strongest efforts from this estate in many years. The final blend, 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, was cropped at a low 43 hectoliters per hectare. This deep ruby/purple-tinged wine possesses more texture and richness than usual, yet retains a delicate elegance as well as a superb fragrance (red cherries, smoked herbs, spice, graphite, and charcoal), a sweet, savory, expansive mid-palate, neither the structure nor muscle of the Northern Medocs, but silky tannins and a long finish. It should be drinkable in 5-6 years, and last for 20-25. Impressive!

TAST

17.50 / 20

the12/31/2006

Comme d'habitude pas particulièrement expansif à ce stade mais incontestablement ultra précis et complet : couleur grenat dense, beau nez fumé au fruité fin, bouche structurée, tanin magnifique, fraîcheur, franchise et allonge.

Decanter Magazine

18.50 / 100

the6/15/2006

Real poise and elegance. Fine nose with a beautiful pitch of fruit. Depth and intensity. Palate rich, smooth, a touch of opulence, with fine, silky tannins and great length. 2014-30

La Revue du Vin de France

4 / 20

the6/15/2006

Avec sa belle persistence, son superbe milieu de bouche tendu et sa finale de café, Chevalier retrouve son grand niveau d'antan, celui des 1959 et 1961.

Wine Advocate

91-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/27/2006

This beauty offers a strong argument that this may be the finest Domaine de Chevalier since the 1970. Stephane Derenoncourt, who was hired as the winemaking consultant, has built in more texture while retaining the terroir’s tell-tale elegance and fragrance. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it boasts an inky/ruby/purple color as well as a sumptuous perfume of lead pencil shavings, charcoal, black currants, cherries, smoked herbs, and spice. With soft tannin, medium to full body, beautiful opulence, impressive purity, and abundant tannin, it may close down after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2006

Very dark crimson. Sweet, dark cherry notes. Broad spread of ripe fruit - very worked and flattering. The tannins are notably riper than in most wines of this appellation and almost unnoticeable. A crowd-pleaser-quite big and full on. Drink 2015-28.

Wine Spectator

89-91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/30/2006

Lots of plum, raspberry and mineral aromas follow through to a medium-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a medium finish. Very balanced and refined. —J.S.