DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER

A very good effort from this estate located in the southern sector of Pessac-Leognan, the 2011 Domaine de Chevalier is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot that achieved 13% natural alcohol. It offers medium body, attractive sweet red and black currant fruit, a round, supple texture, and hints of roasted herbs and damp earth. Drink this pretty, elegant effort during its first 10-15 years of life. 2012 - 2027 Rating: 87-89 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 2012)

The 2011 is a blend of two-thirds Cabernet and one-third Merlot but Olivier Bernard then mentioned that is includes 6% Petit Verdot. The nose is closed at first but it demonstrates fine precision with blackcurrant, boysenberry, limestone and graphite aromas, again, almost Pauillac like in profile. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins on the entry, crisp acidity: a Domaine de Chevalier struck through with a citric like freshness. A little abrupt and “spiky” on the finish perhaps, but this is a fine, masculine, classic Domaine de Chevalier for mid-term drinking. Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2012)

Inky dark core. Sweet, warm inviting cherry fruit plus a balancing graphite note. Dry, powder fine, quite gentle on the palate. Although the tannins are dry there's still a fluidity to the wine as a whole. A bit abrupt at the end. 2017-2028 Rating: 17 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2012)

Quite a perfume to the aromatics here, the fruit showing a fresh, fragrant, raspberry-tinged style. It has an attractive side, all chalk and violets, but there is also a tangible seam of green spearmint to it. A fresh style on the palate, with supple fruit to the fore, the tannins grainy and fine, quite elegant in fact, the acidity more prominent in terms of structure. A wine with a fine-boned, red fruit substance moving . Pretty and moving towards lightweight, and the leafy tinge indicated on the nose does come though on the palate as well. Quite a crunchy, fresh, clean finish and length. Not a strong vintage for Domaine de Chevalier. Rating: 14-15 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2012)

Elegant black berry fruits, lightly expressed concentration, lovely texture and depth, strong tannins already blending in and a long life in front of it. Drink 2016-2035. Rating: 17.5 www.decanter.com (Apr 2012)

Firm, slightly dusty-edged plum and cassis fruit here, with a good sappy feel on the finish. Underlying tarry edge. Solid, if a bit reticent today. Rating: 89-92 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2012)

These aren’t the flashiest of wines in their youth, even in riper vintages, but they often develop beautifully with time. This is poised and almost reticent, with refreshing acidity, fine-grained, savoury tannins and elegant cassis and graphite flavours. Less good than the château’s white in 2011, but generally a good buy. 8+ years. Rating: 92 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2012)

Very polished tannins to this refined and beautiful red with minerals and blackberries. Some wet earth too. Full and very integrated now. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2012)