Domaine de Chevalier, Rouge Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 2008

A gorgeous perfume of blackcurrants, chocolate, tobacco leaf, and gravelly minerality emerges from the 2008 Domaine de Chevalier, which is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and hit 13.5% natural alcohol. It’s broad, full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, and is a beautiful, beautiful wine that stretches out nicely on the finish. This is classic Graves! I love it today, and it has another 10-15 years of prime drinking and I’m sure a gradual decline after that).

Drink 2019 - 2034

Beautifully textured and weighted on the palate, not so expressive on the nose, but this is scintillating on the palate, buzzy, clean, lean, focussed and straight. Doesn't really deviate and in that respect this has tension and a lot more to give. Feels like it's in hibernation at the moment, but still delivering purity and clarity of fruit with the terroir markers of liquorice and flint at the end. Blackcurrant and plum fruit. A lovely 2008 with succulence, cool blue fruit, herbal aspects, salty touches and such an ease to it. Delicious.

Drink 2023 - 2038

Surprisingly shy on the nose, even at ten years of age - this can bed itself down for a few more years before really starting to open for business. Cabernet fruit dominates, dark in profile with layers of fine tannins, chewier and more classically styled than some. It clearly shows why Chevalier can still go full-throttle in its third and fourth decades. Again, the slight lack of persistency tells you that this was not the hottest vintage, but it is full of classic menthol, cassis and charred oak, those tannins bouncing up to the finish.

Drink 2020 - 2032

It is just starting to open now, with bright fruit, light smoky, and meaty undertones. It has a medium to full body and a fresh finish.

Drink or hold