Domaine de Chevalier - Pessac-Léognan red 2013

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

The 2013 Domaine de Chevalier has a refined bouquet, laid back and languorous with blackberry, briary notes, a touch of bay leaf developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, quite edgy tannin, nicely balanced and fresh with a simple but harmonious finish. It's the kind of 2013 that you'll just enjoy as a fine Claret, leaving you with a smile on your face. This constitutes a very commendable effort in such a challenging vintage, the bottom line being that it is one of the most pleasurable releases in 2013.

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5 / 20

byPhilippe Maurangethe9/1/2016

Ce 2013, certainement l'un des plus colorés dans ce millésime dans les graves, affiche une couleur dense. La matière possède du charnu, un coeur en bouche bien rempli et des tannins structurants l'ensemble. L'allonge mèle la finesse de l'élevage et l'expression d'un fruit à juste maturité. Un vin très réussi, élégant et fin.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

the3/31/2016

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2016

This is excellent. Blueberry, black currant and stone aromas and flavors. Medium body, lovely density, fine tannins and a bright finish. A triumph for the vintage. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/29/2014

Made from an unusual blend for this great estate, the 2013 Domaine de Chevalier is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot (no Petit Verdot), and the total production was less than half of normal. The wine achieved 13% natural alcohol, but yields were frightfully low. The result is an outstanding effort in this frequently disappointing, average quality vintage. The wine possesses a deep plum/ruby color as well as a sweet bouquet of incense, charcoal, red and black currants, and loamy soil. Medium-bodied with good texture, depth and purity, sweet tannins, and present but unobtrusive acidity, it should drink nicely for 12-15 years. Once again, it proves that Domaine de Chevalier often accomplishes impressive things in so-called “off” vintages.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

86-89 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe5/16/2014

Deep purple-ruby.  Blackberry, bell pepper and aromatic herbs on the nose; gave a sweeter, fruitier impression with aeration.  Bright blackcurrant, tobacco leaf, aromatic oak and gunflint flavors are impressively pure and deep, but slightly tough tannins coat the palate on the moderately long, perfumed finish.  I think this wine has sneaky concentration and I like its pure aromas and flavors, go I hope it will develop a little more fruity charm and flesh during its time in barrel.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe5/7/2014

Always among the best value wines on the Left Bank, this has over-delivered on flavour and complexity in 2013. Classic graphite and cassis characters are underpinned by well-judged oak and fine-grained tannins and a refreshing, grassy finish.

matthewjukes.com

16 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/23/2014

(63 Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 Merlot, 5 Petit Verdot, 2 Cabernet Franc) Dry, tart, lean and herbal and lacking in ripe fruit, this is a hard wine to enjoy at this stage. Slight pruney notes on finish give some hope but no matter how hard I look I cannot see this wine evening out.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byRichard Hemmingsthe4/22/2014

Beautifully ripe, modern cassis character. Creamy texture, smooth and aromatic. A well-judged leafy element, firm but not impenetrable tannins, and refreshing acid. Comparatively light, but has convincing enough flavour and balance.

Vinous

91-94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/18/2014

Graphite, smoke, plums and violets meld together in the 2013 Domaine de Chevalier. One of the most impressive wines of the year, the 2013 stands out for its energy, delineation and brilliant textural balance. With a little time in the glass, the 2013 opens up beautifully, showing off its multi-faceted personality. What a gorgeous wine this is. Violets, sage and new leather add the final layers of complexity to what is easily one of the wines of the vintage. The 2013 has been striking the three times I have tasted it. In 2013, the blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.

Decanter.com

17,25 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/15/2014

Superb colour, lovely cassis black fruits nose, rich smoothness on the palate  with Chevalier tobacco leaf hints, elegantly exuberant in 2013

My Bettane + Desseauve

17 / 20

the4/15/2014

Vin large et séveux, beaucoup d’ampleur en finale, tannin racé, excellentes promesses.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/15/2014

A blend 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot picked between from the end of September up to around the 15 October, the Domaine de Chevalier has a toasty bouquet with dark chocolate scents that seem more pronounced compared to previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with a touch of greenness in the background. This is a broody, introspective Domaine de Chevalier, with good weight on the dry, gritty finish, but I feel it is missing its usual flair...at the moment. I strongly suspect that it will mellow and demonstrate more pizzazz by the time of bottling as this 2013 has impressive persistency, but it needs to really get hold of that oak.

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/8/2014

Spice and tobacco character with berry and coffee undertones. Medium to full body, silky tannins. Seamless and integrated for the vintage.      

Wine Spectator

88-91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2014

This is nicely put together, with good flesh to the plum and blackberry fruit. Subtle toast and a hint of graphite checks in on the finish. A touch of plum skin pinches the finish, but this remains solid overall. —J.M.

René Gabriel

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/3/2014

Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Süssliches Bouquet, rotes Kirschenkompott, Redcurrant-Pastillen, laktische Noten, er hat aber auch etwas Verspieltes in sich. Im Gaumen mit frischer Frucht, Veilchentöne, angenehmes Extrakt, dezent kernige Rasse im Innern zeigend. Nicht zu unterschätzender Wein mit einem Potential von gut 20 Jahren.

Wine Enthusiast

91-93 / 100

byRoger Vossthe3/31/2014

This is a richly textured wine, with powerful wood tannins that are balanced by the rich fruits. It is dense and full of blackberry flavor, finishing with juicy, fresh acidity.