Domaine de Chevalier rouge - Pessac-Léognan 2018

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

par James Molesworth le 26/01/2021

Dreamy, with a velvety, caressing feel to a mix of warmed cassis, plum reduction and cherry preserve flavors that glide through slowly, but surely, letting anise, sweet tobacco and mineral accents peek in throughout. Very long, very refined. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2038. 10,000 cases made. — JM

Jamessuckling.com

99 / 100

par James Suckling le 26/01/2021

The intensity and perfumes on the nose are extremely impressive, offering pure blackberries and violets, as well as bark, wild-mushroom and raw-tile notes. It’s full-bodied with creamy tannins that envelop the wine and a gorgeous, subtly complex center palate with all the flavors found on the nose. Endless finish. Love the finesse and length to this. Greatest ever. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 5% petit verdot. Try after 2026.

Decanter.com

96 / 100

par Jane Anson le 12/01/2021

Vinous

94-96 / 100

par Neal Martin le 15/11/2019

The 2018 Domaine de Chevalier has a compelling bouquet with copious black cherries, raspberry coulis, crushed stone and rose petal scents, suggestions of black olive developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. This is silky smooth in texture with hints of brown spice and dark chocolate infusing the black fruit, a touch of curry powder towards the finish that sets the tongue tingling after the wine has departed. This is a seriously fine Domaine de Chevalier from Olivier Bernard and his team. Does it rank alongside the 2016? Well, yes, it might well do that.

WeinWisser

18,5 / 20

le 07/05/2019

Bettane & Desseauve

96-97 / 100

le 03/05/2019

Droit et de grande finesse, impeccable stature racée, délicatesse tannique, grand millésime.

Vinous

94-97 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 01/05/2019

The 2018 Domaine de Chevalier is magnificent. Bright, lifted and wonderfully nuanced, the 2018 has so much to offer. Olivier Bernard turned out a dazzling Domaine de Chevalier in 2018 that speaks to precision and nuance above all else. Rose petal, mint, savory herbs and crushed rocks add striking aromatic top notes to this stunning, breathtakingly beautiful wine. The tannins need time to soften, but I doubt readers will be in a rush. The 2018 is simply majestic - that's all there is to it. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Tasted three times.

Jeb DUNNUCK

96-98 / 100

par Jeb Dunnuck le 01/05/2019

Possibly one of the finest wines ever to come from the Bernard family’s flagship estate near Léognan, the 2018 Domaine de Chevalier checks in as a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that hit 13.5% alcohol and will spend 18 months in just 35% new French oak. Its saturated purple/plum color is followed by a mammoth bouquet of cassis, black currants, gravelly earth, smoked herbs, and tobacco. Full-bodied, deep, brilliantly balanced, and seriously concentrated, it has polished tannins, no hard edges, and a finish that won’t quit. It’s a heavenly Graves that will keep for 30+ years.

Vinifera

95-97 /

par Jacques Perrin le 01/05/2019

Belle robe profonde. Le nez révèle une vraie dimension de complexité. Nuancé, subtil. Bouche élégante, continue, parfaitement tramée, avec une dimension de complexité et de sapidité qui lui sont propres. Tràs belle finale, soutenue, fraîche.  

La Revue du Vin de France

17,5-18,5 / 20

le 24/04/2019

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 23/04/2019

Close to opaque in color, the wine is opulent, concentrated, juicy and intense. The fruit comes in layers expanding as it builds in your mouth. Once the juicy blackberry and cherry begins to fade, you'll find licorice, dark cocoa and sweet, salty plums. The finish is everlasting. Olivier Bernard calls this the best vintage of Domaine de Chevalier he has ever produced and he is right! The wine is made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot reaching 13.5% alcohol.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 23/04/2019

This wine is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot to be aged for approximately 18 months in oak barriques, 35% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Domaine de Chevalier starts a little closed before bounding out of the glass with bold expressions of fresh blackcurrants, kirsch, black raspberries and fragrant earth plus nuances of lilacs, Sichuan pepper and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate maintains elegance and sophistication, with a lovely ripe, finely grained frame and plenty of freshness to back up the floral and black fruit layers, finishing long and perfumed.

Wine Enthusiast

95-97 / 100

par Roger Voss le 17/04/2019

 The wine’s tannins are impressive and solidly structured, with a firm concentration of ripe black fruits to round it out. The black plum flavor and bright acidity offer a juicy feel, allied with a mineral note on the finish.

Jamessuckling.com

99-100 / 100

par James Suckling le 12/04/2019

Wow. I can’t get over the pureness of fruit in this wine with so much currant, tar and wet-earth character. Flowers, too. So aromatic. Full body, yet pureness and brightness of fruit. Layered. Incredible depth and beauty. 65 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 30 per cent merlot and 5 per cent petit verdot. Greatest ever?

Jean-Marc QUARIN

95 / 100

par Jean-Marc Quarin le 08/04/2019

Wine Spectator

94-97 / 100

par James Molesworth le 03/04/2019

This is flashy, with mesquite, licorice, black tea and fruitcake aromatics leading the way to a frankly ripe core of steeped raspberry and plum flavors. Seems pretty liberal with the toast, but this has what it needs to come together in the end.

Yvesbeck.wine

95-97 / 100

par Yves Beck le 01/04/2019

Pourpre violacé. Bouquet aux nombreuses facettes. Complexe et élégant avec des notes de baies noires ainsi qu’une agréable fraîcheur. Avec un peu d’aération je relève également des parfums d’iris et d’Earl Grey. Attaque friande et compacte. Le vin a du corps et est doté de tannins puissants qui se révèlent en crescendo. Ils sont fins et assurent parfaitement les arrières, tout en harmonisant avec la structure. Un vin qui a tout pour aller loin dans l’avenir. Finale persistante. 2024-2048

Decanter.com

96 / 100

par Jane Anson le 01/04/2019

These guys clearly know what they are doing, and they keep doing it. This wine is consistent even in difficult years but in years like this, where they have the room to manoeuvre, it really shines. This is great stuff, with lovely freshness to the deep fruit flavours. There is persistency and plenty of slate and freshly cut herbs to stack up against the juicy, concentrated fruit. It's a powerful, well handled and confident wine but doesn't push too hard. One-third new oak.
Drinking Window 2027 - 2040