Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru 2022 i trækasse

Bettane et Desseauve

Antonio Galloni

The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier is a powerhouse. I don’t remember tasting anything like it. Black cherry, plum, graphite, licorice and spic add to an impression of virile intensity. Readers should expect to play the long game, as the tannins are pretty imposing at this stage. That has been the case each of the four times I have tasted the 2022 so far. Drinking window : 2030-2052

Jeb Dunnuck

As to the Grand Vin 2022 Domaine De Chevalier, this awesome Graves is based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Vinified in a mix of concrete and wood tanks, with a portion seeing malolactic fermentation in barrel, it offers a deep purple/ruby hue as well as a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, smoke tobacco, and damp earth. Reminding me of a supercharged version of the 2016, it's full-bodied and has a layered, silky mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. Released with a new, one-off label, the 2022 celebrates Olivier Bernard's 40th year at the château, and it's certainly a wine worth seeking out.

Decanter

Lovely detail and precision with plump, ripe fruit, good concentration and intensity, mouthfilling tannins that have a lovely texture and overall length. Feels really well made, structured and vibrant , not taken too far with a really appealing flavour and texture. Just lovely, fresh, lifted, still concentrated with underlying power but delivered seamlessly. A brilliant compelling utterly moreish wine. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. A yield of 40hl/ha.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

Almost opaque in color, the wine is equally dark in the nose with black cherries, black berries, black plums, licorice, Cuban cigar wrappers, smoke, burning wood and cocoa. Silky, elegant, plummy, rich and loaded with chocolate-covered, dark pit fruits, espresso and black cherries. There is intensity as well as silkiness and energy in the long finish. The wine blends 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% ABV, 3.60 pH. The harvest took place September 6 - September 28. Yields were 35 hectoliters per hectare. Condition in the vineyards were extremely dry with only 30 MM of rain during the summer, making this the estates driest vintage in history. This is also the second 100% biodynamically farmed vintage. More importantly, bottles will feature a special label celebrating 2022 as it was Olivier Bernard's 40th vintage at Domaine de Chevalier. Drink from 2027-2055.

La Revue du Vin de France

Robert Parker

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Domaine de Chevalier delivers aromas of minty dark berries, cherries and ripe plums mingled with hints of licorice, coniferous forest and spices. Medium to full-bodied, it’s concentrated and layered, textured and elegant, framed by powdery tannins and concluding with a long, penetrating, long finish. Olivier Bernard and his team have crafted an outstanding wine that will bear a special label commemorating his 40th vinification at this Péssac-Léognan reference point.

James Suckling

Balanced and energetic with a medium body, juicy fruit, and fine and long tannins. Orange peel undertones to the currant and chocolate character. Tensioned at the end. Nice sense of acidity.

Terre de Vins

Jane Anson

Touch of reduction on the first nose, intense, gunsmoke-filled aromatics, clearly aimed at extremely long ageing. Great quality, stands out for its serious structure, with clove, aniseed and fennel woven through citrus and white pear, has weight and manages to stay on the savoury side of ripe. Needs time and food. Tasted twice. 40th harvest of Olivier Bernard (meaning a special label), 33% new oak.

Wine Maniacs

Andrew Caillard MW

Deep crimson. Intense cassis, blackberry cedar/ oregon aromas with herb notes. Generous and inky deep with ample dark berry fruits, cedar oak complexity and sinuous fine grainy/velvety tannins. Very good density and vigour. Finishes with a graphite plume. Olivier Bernard's 40th vintage. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Peit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc 14% alc

Alexandre Ma

In the 40th anniversary of Mr. Olivier Bernard's winemaking journey, Domaine de Chevalier chose to celebrate his relentless pursuit of excellence with Xu Beihong's "Galloping Horse". After tasting the 2022 vintage, I find myself repeatedly moved beyond words. The tiny, intense berries I tasted during the harvest bear no resemblance to the wine I savor today. It led me to wonder, could this be magic? The body is dense and compact, yet it flows with a smoothness reminiscent of a gentle stream; its tannins are bold and vigorous, yet possess a softness akin to rice paper. What surprised me most was its robust acidity, which completely overturns my initial impressions of the 2022 vintage. As I compose myself and begin to truly appreciate it, the fragrances of iris and bay leaf envelop me, with fleeting hints of graphite and sandalwood. To my mind, Domaine de Chevalier 2022 is the thoroughbred of Pessac-Léognan, offering a thrilling ride that marries nobility and power

Bettane & Desseauve

Matthew Jukes