Domaine de Chevalier red - Pessac-Léognan 2008

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe12/20/2011

I really enjoy this rich and round wine, with subtle plum, tobacco and game aromas and flavours. Full and softly textured with lots of fruit and a caressing finish. Velvety tannins. So much chocolate too. Best after 2012.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

One of the fabulous sleepers of the vintage and a wine for serious Bordeaux afficionados to consider buying, the 2008 is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot that achieved 13.5% natural alcohol. Surprisingly backward for a 2008, it is medium to full-bodied with moderate tannins, lots of purity and abundant charcoal, black currant and floral notes. The sweetness of the fruit, depth of flavor and textured, lush mouthfeel in this medium to full-bodied, ageworthy 2008 are impressive. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades. I would not be surprised if it turns out to be as impressive as the 2010. Drink 2014-2034

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe12/15/2010

Lilac, tar and cassis bush aromas are followed by a broad swath of mulled plum, blackcurrant and maduro tobacco. The strong, mineral-and tar-filled spine drvies through the finish, which picks up a smoldering edge. Drink now through 2018. - J.M

GaultMillau

16.50 / 100

the7/1/2009

La robe est très sombre le nez assez complexe. L'attaque est souple, le milieu de bouche tout en équilibre et en subtilité. Les tanins sont très fins, la finale tout en délicatesse. Du grand art.

Falstaff

87-89 / 100

the6/30/2009

Dunkles Rubingranat, jugendliche Reflexe, zarter Wasserrand. In der Nase feinwürzig unterlegte dunkle Frucht, zart nach Lakritze, Herzkirschen. Am Gaumen frisch und knackig, lebendige Säurestruktur, gut integrierte Tannine, zitroniger Touch, mittlere Länge, Weichseln im Abgang.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90-92 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe5/28/2009

Deep inky-purple. Knockout nose combines roasted coffee bean and spicy plum, complicated by smoke and minerals. Plush, large-scaled and sweet, with thick, mouthcoating flavors of black cherry, dark berries and smoky minerals. Full but not heavy, this is impressively deep for the year. Finishes pliant and long, with fine, ripe tannins and a distinctly smoky quality.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/6/2009

Sattes, dichtes Purpur mit lila Schimmer. Feinfruchtiges Bouquet mit eleganter Süsse, Wildkirschen, Himbeeren und einem einem Hauch Amarena. Eleganter Gaumen, seidige Textur, wunderschön balanciert. Ein beruhigender, fein strukturierter Wein mit klarer Ausrichtung für echte Domaine-de- Chevalier-Kenner. Vom Preisniveau her völlig unterbewertet. 2015 – 2030

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2009

One of the finest wines made at this estate over the last three decades, Domaine de Chevalier's 2008 (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) achieved 13% natural alcohol. It was cropped at 45 hectoliters per hectare, which is significantly lower than in most top vintages. The most noticeable thing is that consultant Stephane Derenoncourt has drastically cut back the influence of new oak, or at least its ability to intrude on the aromatics and flavors. This beautifully textured, dense purple-colored 2008 exhibits notes of graphite, spring flowers, and blue as well as red fruits in an elegant, full-bodied, flavorful, layered mouthfeel. The freshness of the vintage, combined with low yields has given this cuvee an atypical density and richness that is largely unprecedented. Production is relatively small for the size of the vineyard (about 8,000 cases). This beauty should drink well for 25+ years. Drink 2009-2034.

La Revue du Vin de France

17.50-18.50 / 20

the4/29/2009

"Nous avons échappé au gel car nous taillons tardivement", se réjouit Olivier Bernard, propriétaire. "Nos 2008 sont puissants, aevc un très gros potentiel de garde, nous avons 60% de grand vin". La dégustation le confirme avec un Chevalier 2008 au nez racé, puissamment fruité et fumé, à la bouche superbe, ample, suave, tendue et d'une grande pureté. Gros potentiel de garde.

TAST

18 / 20

the4/23/2009

Superbe pureté et intensité aromatique, grande construction en bouche, étoffe considérable pour ce cru si linéaire en primeur, tanin ultra racé et précis, très grande réussite.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/22/2009

This is a little reticent on the nose, blackberry, liquorices and a touch of tar. Nice definition but very tight. The palate is full-bodied with ripe toasty tannins, nicely balanced and very good weight. Well defined with blackberry, pain grille and a touch of liquorices (a very light touch.) Classy stuff – just a little dryness on the finish. Tasted April 2009.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2009

Very dark purple indeed. Attractive savour and life on the nose but a little bit green on the palate. Round but marked by acidity and less than opulent tannins but very polished and savoury. A bit too muscular? Fades on the finish. A little more flashy than previous vintages of Domaine de Chevalier than I remember. But it grew in the glass. Drink 2014-20 17+

Decanter Magazine

17.50 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/15/2009

Black-purple-red, lovely purity of black fruits on the nose, touch of smoky complexity, fine fragrance of roses fruit on the palate, perfect balance, deceptively easy due to the purity of the fruit, a lovely wine. Drink 2014-25.