Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Pessac Léognan, 2015
A class apart from almost anything else from the Pessac union des Grand Cru tastings, so much more zip and tension than some of its rather flabby and sweet competitors. Classy flavours that betray a faint touch of the exotic, notes of stone fruit and guava mixed with flavours of citrus, crushed nettles and herbs. For all of its ripeness and depth there is a wonderfully balancing steeliness to the finish. Top notch. A blend of 70% Sauvignon and 30% Semillon aged for 18 months in barriques. Harvested between the 7th and 23rd September with successive “tries” to pick the best fruit in optimum condition. In some cases even on the same row fruit was harvest in three “passages.”
critic reviews
The 2015 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is one of my favorite vintages in recent years. On the nose, Golden Delicious intermixes with lime and Granny Smiths, which has real drive. The palate is very well balanced with great poise and tension, but it's the texture that really delivers, with hints of chamomile lingering toward the finish. This is excellent. Tasted at the 2015 Ten-Year-On tasting at Bordeaux Index.
Pale gold in colour at 10 years, just beginning to deepen but still showing clarity and verve. Shows a deft mix of preserved lemon, saffron, wax, citrus peel, quince and lime zest. Still gong strong, as is typical for the superb white wine from Domaine de Chevalier.
The 2015 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc gives up pronounced notes of lemonade, fresh apricots, and lime leaves with suggestions of straw and crushed stones. The medium-bodied palate is generously fruited, with an approachably soft backbone of acidity and a minerally lift on the finish.