2023 Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac-Leognan, France 750ml

Arriving Fall of 2026

The 2023 Domaine de Chevalier reveals a perfumed, incipiently complex bouquet of dark wild berries, cassis, rose petals, spices and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and rich, with a fleshy core of fruit framed by powdery tannins and bright acids, it concludes with a long, saline, gently oak-inflected finish. This blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc is maturing in 40% new barrels.

This 67-hectare estate in Pessac-Léognan is currently excelling, with the 2023 vintage marking a significant achievement. When the Bernard family acquired Domaine de Chevalier in 1983, the vineyard spanned just 20 hectares. They expanded into the surrounding woodlands, which largely remain and are situated on the same stony gravel and black sand atop iron-rich clay that defines the estate's historic vineyards. This site is cool in winter, shielded by trees, but warm in summer as the stones reflect heat while the black sands absorb it. Farming methods have transitioned to organic and biodynamic practices, including experiments with cover crops, unhedged canopies and enhanced drainage for more humid parcels. Sauvignon Blanc is planted in the estate’s coolest areas and Cabernet Sauvignon in the warmest, with other varieties interspersed. Since 1983, Domaine de Chevalier has undergone a natural evolution; new plantings initially diminished some of the wines' famed intensity-without-weight. In the early 2000s, attempts to reach fuller maturity resulted in somewhat chunkier, noticeably oakier wines. However, recent vintages, particularly the 2023s, have seen a return to seamless elegance and less oak-dominated bouquets while maintaining depth and persistence, signaling a particularly successful phase for this esteemed estate. (YC)