Domaine de Chevalier rouge - Pessac-Léognan 1994

Wine Advocate

77 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1997

A disturbing pattern appears to be emerging with recent offerings from this chateau. After bottling, the wines are fruitless, ferociously tannic, and completely out of balance. Even the white Domaine de Chevalier seems to be missing the great intensity of flavor and ripeness that one expects from this renowned estate in Pessac-Leognan. A medium to dark ruby color is deceptive in view of the charmless, hollow, aggressively tannic wine that has emerged since bottling. The sweet, ripe fruit present in cask has turned into a charmless wine of dubious balance. I cannot see it ever turning itself around. It reminds me of the 1975. Given the number of marvelous Domaine de Chevaliers I have tasted as well as purchased over the years, I hope my tasting notes for the 1993-95 prove to be terribly inaccurate.

Wine Spectator

85 / 100

the1/31/1997

Delicate and alluring, showing lovely aromas of berries, toasted oak and minerals. Light, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now. 12,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

77-82 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1996

The 1994 and 1995 were tasted on three separate occasions and found to be shockingly mediocre at each tasting. The light to medium-bodied 1994 is woody, with thin flavors, and little flesh or depth to cover the wine's tannic structure. Dilution is clearly a problem. It is difficult for me to imagine that these tastings could represent the true quality of Domaine de Chevalier, but my responsibility is to report on what I tasted, not on what I think the wine should have tasted like. For now, these are major disappointments.

Wine Advocate

87-88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1995

A dark ruby/purple color is followed by a fragrant nose of overripe black-cherries. Surprisingly sweet and less oaky than usual, this classically-styled Graves possesses medium body and firm, powerful tannin. It will require 8-10 years of cellaring and should last for 20 years.