Domaine de Chevalier white - Pessac-Léognan 2012

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting. The 2012 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc has an intriguing marine influence nose that nods towards Muscadet - well defined with white flower and chalky scents following suit. The palate is fresh and vibrant, well balanced and quite rounded in the mouth, easing down with a chalky, more linear finish. I suspect this has gone into its shell, ergo my parsimonious score vis-a-vis out of barrel, but in my experience, Domaine de Chevalier rewards long-term bottle age and I expect that score to float upwards with time. Tasted January 2016.
Note : 91+/100

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

A beautifully elegant and complex wine, with subtle notions of citrus, honeysuckle and tropical fruits, this medium-bodied, fresh, super-pure 2012 from Domaine de Chevalier should drink well for 30 or more years. The color is light straw with a greenish hue to it. 93+

Jamessuckling.com

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

This is very tender and pretty with very fine elements. Dried lemons, minerals and lilac as well as character of oyster shell and iodine. Full body, yet refined and long. You normally see this sort complex character in reds from Pessac-Leognan. Fascinating young white.

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

the12/11/2014

Very pale and introvert. In a blind tasting this would so easily be overlooked – as it has been so many times. It’s really so different from the norm and

isn’t nearly ready. Almost more like a Sancerre than a Pessac. Lots of stoniness and bone dry. No perceptible wood influence.Drink 2017-2025. (16++ points)

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

the10/23/2014

Very pale and introvert. In a blind tasting this would so easily be overlooked – as it has been so many times. It’s really so different from the norm and isn’t nearly ready. Almost more like a Sancerre than a Pessac. Lots of stoniness and bone dry. No perceptible wood influence. (16++) 2017-2025

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2014

There's serious depth to the shortbread, lemon curd, creamed yellow apple and melon notes, all inlaid with mouthwatering savory and thyme flavors. The long, powerful finish has plenty of buried mouth-watering acidity. This should age well. Best from 2015 through 2020.

timatkin.com

95 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2013

Olivier Bernard rates his 2012 white as highly as his 2010, which is praise indeed. This is certainly a delicious white blend, right up there with the best of the vintage, showing a waxy, creamy, lees-derived texture, subtle, smoky oak and focused, refreshing flavours of grapefruit, vanilla and fresh herbs. If you only buy one white wine from 2012, this should be at the top of the list. Drink: 2014-22

Le Point

15 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Nez floral, bouche ronde, gourmande, petite note poivre blanc et poire, vif. O= 2014 G= 8 ans

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/3/2013

Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. The Domaine de Chevalier Blanc has a reserved, stony nose that you have to be patient with – give it a few minutes and there are some subtle undergrowth scents that begin to emerge, hints of orange blossom and dried apricot. The palate is well balanced with a delicate touch of spice on the entry. This is very focused with good weight and it displays wonderful tension on the finish that offers a Burgundy-like texture. Wonderful. Tasted April 2013.

matthewjukes.com

17.5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

A gorgeous effort, the 2012 Domaine de Chevalier, made from a blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon that reached 13.5% natural alcohol, boasts abundant notes of creme brulee, lemon custard, candle wax and oranges in its beautifully rich, honeyed personality. Great acidity gives laser-like precision to its component parts. Drink this full-bodied white wine over the next 2-3 decades.
Drink: 2013 - 2016

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

Grapefruit, lemon, stone and vanilla make the attention-seeking perfume. Rich, fresh and zippy fruits with plush texture and a fresh citrus and spice finish remain with you long after the wine went where it was supposed to go. 93-95 Pts

My Bettane + Desseauve

16,5-17 / 20

the4/25/2013

Assez gras et moins vif à la naissance que 2011 mais très complexe.

La Revue du Vin de France

18-19 / 20

the4/25/2013

Moins 10 % de sauvignon, plus 10 % de sémillon sont les deux principales nuances de ce blanc, "reflétant les équilibres de maturité du millésime", précise Rémi Edange, le directeur adjoint. Finesse de fruit, touches de menthol, boisé remarquablement intégré font de ce vin cristallin, l'une des révélations 2012. Ph.M

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/25/2013

Good, floral-framed style, with honeysuckle and chamomile notes followed by Meyer lemon, meringue and shortbread flavors. Very juicy through the finish, with a nice stony backdrop for added cut. —J.M.

Decanter.com

18 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/23/2013

Silver-pale, deceptively restrained white flowers nose reveals white peaches and an elegant persistency and purity of mineral-backed fruit that will be astounding over its long future. 18/20pts ( 93/100pts)
Drink: 2014 - 2030

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2013

Drink 2014-2024
Sweet and rather oily start. Lots of weight. Could only be Pessac-Léognan – tant mieux! Big and beefy but not sweet. I admire this style – for food. Long, with an admirably dry finish.

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/5/2013

Good, floral-framed style, with honeysuckle and chamomile notes followed by Meyer lemon, meringue and shortbread flavors. Very juicy through the finish, with a nice stony backdrop for added cut. —J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

This is very tender and pretty with very fine elements. Dried lemons, minerals and lilac as well as character of oyster shell and iodine. Full body, yet refined and long. You normally see this sort complex character in reds from Pessac-Léognan. Fascinating young white.