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Wine Description
The Story
Area of production: 5 ha
Average production: 18.000 bottles
Age of vines: ~35 years
Olivier Bernard's extensive project at Domaine de Chevalier has really come to fruition. After a bold and not to mention expensive re-planting program throughout the `80s and then a decade and a half of patience for the vines to gain maturity, we can really see the benefits. 2005, 2008, 2009 and now 2010 rank amongst the very best wines produced in this sprawling commune. Powerful but graceful, true to their terroir, and just so enjoyable to drink; this has become one of our 'must buy' estates. Olivier's wines offer 'super second' class at relatively affordable prices.
Wine Information
Domaine de Chevalier
Grand Cru Classé de Graves
The Domaine de Chevalier, located in Léognan, the capital town of the Graves region, has a long history. It appears on the map drawn in 1763 under the name of “Chibaley” (meaning knight, in the Gascon language).
The very notion of domain, that has been deliberately kept by the successive owners who never sought to replace it by the more recent appellation of “château”, is the heritage of long and rich pages of history, highlighting the sense of balance that the current master of the house is so anxious to maintain.
In 1983, the estate was purchased by the Bernard family, and it has been run ever since by Olivier Bernard. In line with the history of Chevalier, he perpetuates that spirit of balance and the constant drive for perfection which, over the last 130 years, have been the hallmark of this outstanding wine.
Today, from the secret garden protected by the vast, surrounding forest, the estate has become a remarkably open haven where visitors, keen to imbue themselves with the spirit of the Graves region, can benefit from its longstanding tradition of hospitality.
The red Domaine de Chevalier, the flagship of the Pessac Léognan appellation, belongs to the elite of the great classified growths of Bordeaux.
”The philpsophy that I have instilled here, with the help of my team, all revolves around quality and balance. Cost has never been the foremost consideration. Furthermore, all the profits have been reinvested in thr property... The quest for quality os an ongoing priority here.” -Olivier Bernard
Soil: dark sand and fine white gravel, with a subsoil of well drained sandstone
Production area: 35 ha
Grape varieties: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2,5% Cabernet Franc, 2,5% Petit Verdot
Average age of vines: 25 years
Harvest method: hand picked, triple sorting
Winemaking: vatting gravity without pumping, alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel and coated steel temperature controlled vats. Maceration for 2 to 3 weeks at 30-32°C
Ageing: 18 months in 50% new barrels
Domaine de Chevalier
33850 Léognan
Tel. +33 5 5664 1616
Fax. +33 5 5664 1818
olivierbernard@domainedechevalier.com
www.domainedechevalier.com
