Domaine de Chevalier Rouge, Grand Cru Classé, 2025
Olivier Bernard's Domaine de Chevalier is always one of the best value wines from Pessac Leognan. This year's rendition is understated and rather handsome. Opening with aromas of cooked meats, pipe tobacco, leafy bramble fruits, oyster shell and a touch of smoke, it segues to a smooth palate of fine hedgerow fruit, cassis, raspberries, spices and hint of vanilla oak. Juicy and vibrant, this elegant Domaine de Chevalier feels like a wine of poise over power. Svelte, classical and well-proportioned. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot cropped at 34 hl/ha. Just 12.5% alc.
critic reviews
The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier was picked from 11 to 26 September at 38 hl/ha with an alcohol level of 12.5%. This is perfumed on the nose with raspberry, cassis and light iris flower scents, just a touch of truffle in the background. You need to wait because this "grows" in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with granular tannins. Very harmonious, quintessentially Pessac, gravel-tinged black fruit, almost pillowy in texture, yet there is certainly decent structure here with just the right amount of grip towards the finish. It will require less bottle age than, say, the 2020 or 2022, yet it is endowed with real complexity and classicism. It is Domaine de Chevalier, after all.
Beautiful depths, precision and clarity on the aromatics, delivers juice and depth with clarity of cassis and blackcurrant flavour. There is still the grip of the vintage in terms of its structure, but this is an estate where you can feel totally confident that things will widen and deepen over ageing. 3.71pH. Harvest September 3 to 29. 30% new oak. In organic conversion. Derenoncourt Consultants, Olivier Bernard owner working with his sons Adrien and Hugo. Tasted twice.