Tasting of Domaine de Chevalier

It’s is always a treat to be able to taste a cross of vintages from one Chateau.  We gathered for this informal tasting lead by our President.  Wine notes below provided by Lee How Sheng.

• Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2005
• Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2006
• Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2007
• Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2000
• Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2005
• Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2009

Domaine de Chevalier (Pessac-Leognan) has a long history dating back to 1155. The present-day vineyard started in 1983 when it was purchased by the Bernard family for 23 Million Francs. In 1985, they purchased additional plots from neighboring vineyards, which almost doubled the vineyard in size. Then began a long term replanting program lasting from 1988 to 1995.

Olivier Bernard was only 23 years old when he was placed in charge of the estate.  He began a complete renovation entailing the construction of new wine making facilities. He created the now modern, cylinder shaped vat room. Its cylindrical shape begins in the front of the cellar and extends throughout the building. It is modern, airy, spacious and beautiful.  The facilities were updated and modernized again in 2014. In 2015 Domaine de Chevalier became the first major Bordeaux chateau to use Diam corks.

The 120 hectare estate of Domaine de Chevalier has 65 hectares under vine.  It is in one large block, divided into 90 separate parcels.  The terroir is gravel, black sand over clay, gravel and hardpan soil, with gentle slopes and elevations, which rise up to 60 meters at their peak, which is the highest elevation in Pessac Leognan.

For the red wine, 58 hectares are planted to 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc.  Before Oliver Bernard took control of the property, the vineyard was planted to 80% Cabernet Sauvignon.

For the white Bordeaux wine, 7 hectares are planted to 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 10,000 vines per hectare. On average, the vines are close to 30 years of age, though some are older than 50 years.

The vineyard management techniques employed are sustainable farming methods. Today, over 30 hectares of vines are farmed using biodynamic farming techniques.