Domaine de Chevalier rouge - Pessac-Léognan 2022

Alexandre Ma

95

par Alexandre Ma le 10/03/2025

Regardless of cork’s quality, you can always trust Domaine de Chevalier’s white wines. In cooler vintages, they display a sweeping acidity; in warmer years, they exude a gentle tenderness. Adaptable yet resilient, this is the mark of a truly exceptional wine. Confronted with the hot vintage in 2022, Domaine de Chevalier decides to balance its fiery energy with cultivation. Within the rich fruit gelée, you can discern the calmness of banana pear, the warmth of papaya, and the freshness of fennel. It conveys powerful energy through a gentle way and dispels all doubts with a touch of salinity. This is the Domaine de Chevalier I have been waiting for.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

97

par Jane Anson le 07/03/2025

Medium to full intensity, clear depth of colour as is typical in the vintage, but with lovely soft ruby nuances throughout, this is still young, more folded in on itself than many wines in 2022, has character and finesse, and ability to age, one to recommend. Maintains estate signature, and is packed with sage and clove spices, touches of incense, toast, olive paste and crayon. 40hl/h yield, 40th harvest of Olivier Bernard.

Decanter.com

96

par Georgina Hindle le 07/03/2025

Dark, brooding, perfumed nose of liquorice, bitter chocolate and blackcurrants. Juicy and filling, with wonderful texture, depth and balance. Salty, mineral finish with crisp edges adding tension. Smooth yet structured, with acidity and texture in harmony. A delicious, ready-to-drink wine that shouldn’t be missed.

Wine Advocate

96

par Yohan Castaing le 06/03/2025

Commemorating his 40th harvest at the helm of the estate, Olivier Bernard has crafted a wine of abundant promise. Evoking aromas of dark wild berries, spices, smoke and licorice, framed by a deft touch of new oak, the 2022 Domaine de Chevalier possesses a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and rich palate, with an elegant, fleshy core of fruit, abundant powdery tannins and a long, delicate and dark berry-inflected finish. Noticeably less toasty and spicy than in the previous year, this estate has positively evolved in style. Matured for 18 months in a combination of new (35%) and used barrels, the 2022 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.

The Wine Cellar Insider

97

par Jeff Leve le 04/03/2025

Chevalier, Domaine de

Jeb DUNNUCK

98

par Jeb Dunnuck le 28/02/2025

Tasted on multiple occasions, the 2022 Domaine De Chevalier is beautiful, with a 2009-like style in its spicy red and black fruits, tobacco, new leather, and graphite-driven aromas and flavors. These carry to a medium to full-bodied Chevalier that has a supple, layered mouthfeel, beautifully polished tannins, and just about flawless balance. It's not massive or over the top in any way and excels on its balance and complexity. Based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, drink this seamless, sexy, already approachable 2022 over the coming 30-40 years.

Yvesbeck.wine

96

par Yves Beck le 25/02/2025

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc Le bouquet du Domaine de Chevalier 2022 s'affiche avec délicatesse, finesse, presque timidité. Il affiche moult facettes et brille de mille feux. En bouche, le vin assimile parfaitement la délicatesse annoncée par le bouquet. Il crée un lien très abouti entre la subtilité, le charme et la puissance. Les tannins sont certes encore quelque peu serrés, mais ils ont le gabarit pour durer et sauront se fondre avec les autres éléments présents. Un vin exceptionnel, subtil, paré pour l'avenir ! 2028-2054 96/100

Vinous

96

par Neal Martin le 12/02/2025

The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier bursts from the glass with enticing blackberry, incense and blueberry aromas that do not hold back. Despite the intensity, it retains superb delineation and focus, with beautifully integrated oak. The medium-bodied palate is packed with black fruit laced with graphite and a dash of black pepper. Very well balanced, it is unequivocally one of the most powerful wines I have encountered from Domaine de Chevalier without compromising its classicism. This is outstanding.

Jamessuckling.com

98

par James Suckling le 03/02/2025

This is extremely long and polished with beautiful silky tannins that keep rolling down the palate. Medium-bodied, it shows currants, blackberries, minerals and crushed stones. Crunchy. Such finesse and structure at the same time. An honest and transparent wine with greatness. Drink after 2029.

Vinous

96

par Antonio Galloni le 28/01/2025

The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier is fabulous. I expected to see a more boisterous wine in this vintage, but instead, Domaine de Chevalier is a bit strict and tightly wound. I suspect those qualities will serve it well over the coming decades. Punchy red fruit, blood orange, new leather and spice all race out of the glass. I especially admire the wine's energy and tension. Tasted three times.

Wine Spectator

96

par James Molesworth le 22/01/2025

Sports a wonderfully polished core of cassis and cherry reduction, while the vintage's telltale notes of warm cast iron, bay and tobacco fill in throughout. Violet and singed chestnut accents check in for added range and length. A pure, deep, lengthy and authoritative expression of Péssac. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2028 through 2042. 9,000 cases made.

Wine Maniacs

94-96

par Lin Liu le 30/05/2023

Decanter.com

95

par Georgina Hindle le 25/05/2023

Lovely detail and precision with plump, ripe fruit, good concentration and intensity, mouthfilling tannins that have a lovely texture and overall length. Feels really well made, structured and vibrant , not taken too far with a really appealing flavour and texture. Just lovely, fresh, lifted, still concentrated with underlying power but delivered seamlessly. A brilliant compelling utterly moreish wine. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. A yield of 40hl/ha.

Alexandre Ma

98-99

par Alexandre Ma le 17/05/2023

In the 40th anniversary of Mr. Olivier Bernard's winemaking journey, Domaine de Chevalier chose to celebrate his relentless pursuit of excellence with Xu Beihong's "Galloping Horse". After tasting the 2022 vintage, I find myself repeatedly moved beyond words. The tiny, intense berries I tasted during the harvest bear no resemblance to the wine I savor today. It led me to wonder, could this be magic? The body is dense and compact, yet it flows with a smoothness reminiscent of a gentle stream; its tannins are bold and vigorous, yet possess a softness akin to rice paper. What surprised me most was its robust acidity, which completely overturns my initial impressions of the 2022 vintage. As I compose myself and begin to truly appreciate it, the fragrances of iris and bay leaf envelop me, with fleeting hints of graphite and sandalwood. To my mind, Domaine de Chevalier 2022 is the thoroughbred of Pessac-Léognan, offering a thrilling ride that marries nobility and power.

Vinous

95-97

par Neal Martin le 17/05/2023

The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier was picked from 5-30 September and represents the 40th vintage under the irrepressible Olivier Bernard, who celebrates with a one-off label. It soars from the glass with take-no-prisoner aromatics: perfumed mineral-rich red berry fruit, incense and black truffle. Pessac-like earthiness with an opposing airiness defines many a great wine from this estate. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. Slightly powdery in texture and saline in the mouth, this gets the saliva flowing. However, the arching structure on the finish suggests it will require considerable bottle age. Cellar this for a couple of decades, and you'll be repaid handsomely. 14% alcohol.

The Vintage Journal

95-96

par Andrew Caillard MW le 17/05/2023

Deep crimson. Intense cassis, blackberry cedar/ oregon aromas with herb notes. Generous and inky deep with ample dark berry fruits, cedar oak complexity and sinuous fine grainy/velvety tannins. Very good density and vigour. Finishes with a graphite plume. Olivier Bernard's 40th vintage. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Peit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc 14% alc

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

par Jane Anson le 16/05/2023

Touch of reduction on the first nose, intense, gunsmoke-filled aromatics, clearly aimed at extremely long ageing. Great quality, stands out for its serious structure, with clove, aniseed and fennel woven through citrus and white pear, has weight and manages to stay on the savoury side of ripe. Needs time and food. Tasted twice. 40th harvest of Olivier Bernard (meaning a special label), 33% new oak.

matthewjukes.com

18,5

par Matthew Jukes le 15/05/2023

Bettane & Desseauve

97

par Bettane & Desseauve le 10/05/2023

Merveilleux nez exprimant un fruit pur et mûr, un boisé plus qu’harmonieux, des notes de fleurs, d’épices douces et de tabac, de la minéralité. La bouche est d’une élégance rare, avec du gras, une trame tannique caressante et une longue finale saline et fraîche. Tension, énergie, race, équilibre, le quarantième millésime d’Olivier Bernard frise la perfection.

Jeb DUNNUCK

96-98

par Jeb Dunnuck le 10/05/2023

As to the Grand Vin 2022 Domaine De Chevalier, this awesome Graves is based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Vinified in a mix of concrete and wood tanks, with a portion seeing malolactic fermentation in barrel, it offers a deep purple/ruby hue as well as a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, smoke tobacco, and damp earth. Reminding me of a supercharged version of the 2016, it's full-bodied and has a layered, silky mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. Released with a new, one-off label, the 2022 celebrates Olivier Bernard's 40th year at the château, and it's certainly a wine worth seeking out.

Vinous

93-96

par Antonio Galloni le 09/05/2023

The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier is a powerhouse. I don’t remember tasting anything like it. Black cherry, plum, graphite, licorice and spic add to an impression of virile intensity. Readers should expect to play the long game, as the tannins are pretty imposing at this stage. That has been the case each of the four times I have tasted the 2022 so far. Drinking window : 2030-2052

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98

par Jeff Leve le 05/05/2023

Almost opaque in color, the wine is equally dark in the nose with black cherries, black berries, black plums, licorice, Cuban cigar wrappers, smoke, burning wood and cocoa. Silky, elegant, plummy, rich and loaded with chocolate-covered, dark pit fruits, espresso and black cherries. There is intensity as well as silkiness and energy in the long finish. The wine blends 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% ABV, 3.60 pH. The harvest took place September 6 - September 28. Yields were 35 hectoliters per hectare. Condition in the vineyards were extremely dry with only 30 MM of rain during the summer, making this the estates driest vintage in history. This is also the second 100% biodynamically farmed vintage. More importantly, bottles will feature a special label celebrating 2022 as it was Olivier Bernard's 40th vintage at Domaine de Chevalier. Drink from 2027-2055.

Wine Advocate

94-96

par Yohan Castaing le 28/04/2023

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Domaine de Chevalier delivers aromas of minty dark berries, cherries and ripe plums mingled with hints of licorice, coniferous forest and spices. Medium to full-bodied, it’s concentrated and layered, textured and elegant, framed by powdery tannins and concluding with a long, penetrating, long finish. Olivier Bernard and his team have crafted an outstanding wine that will bear a special label commemorating his 40th vinification at this Péssac-Léognan reference point.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

par James Suckling le 19/04/2023

Balanced and energetic with a medium body, juicy fruit, and fine and long tannins. Orange peel undertones to the currant and chocolate character. Tensioned at the end. Nice sense of acidity.