Domaine de Chevalier, Rouge Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 2010

This is the most structured and powerful DC in a long, long time. Full bodied, with polished and rich tannins and a long finish. Tasted twice.The rising star of Bordeaux?

Tannic grip still very much in control, still with the sculpted quality that you find in the 2009 Chevalier. Cocoa bean, cassis, wet stone minerality, a sliver of joy hiding among the intense concentrated black fruits and liquorice root, I suggest giving it another three or four years to get the architecture to really relax. A brilliant way to see the difference in character between the two vintages. Harvest October 6 to 19. 33% new oak for ageing.

Clearly in its prime drinking window, the 2010 Domaine De Chevalier is gorgeous stuff, offering a complex mix of both red and black fruits, truffly earth, chocolate, and some meaty, bloody notes. Incredibly concentrated, it's medium to full-bodied, has ripe tannins, outstanding balance, and remarkable length. This absolutely classic Domaine de Chevalier will evolve gracefully over the coming 4-5 decades. Drink 2025-2065.

This is one of my all-time favorite wines from Domaine de Chevalier, a silky, rather classic Pessac-Leognan with notes of scorched earth, tobacco leaf and black and red currants, but no hard edges. Fragrant, complex aromatics are followed by a savory, expansively flavored wine made from a final blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The wine hit 13.5% natural alcohol, which must certainly be among the highest they have ever achieved, even eclipsing the 2009. An opulent, precocious style of wine that seems much more developed, complex and delicious than I thought from barrel, this beauty can be drunk in 5-6 years or cellared for 20 or more.
95

Consultant Stephane Derenoncourt along with owner Olivier Bernard have done a fabulous job over recent years, but the tannic, backward 2010 Domaine de Chevalier seemed primary and difficult to assess when I tasted it on three separate occasions. The natural alcohol is 13.5% from a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot. A youthful inky/blue/purple color is opaque to the rim and the nose offers elegant aromas of crushed rocks, acacia flowers, boysenberries, black currants and subtle toast as well as oak. This thick, rich, tannic, backward wine will require patience. I would guess 7-10 years of cellaring will be essential, but this is a 30- to 40- year wine.
91-93+

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Domaine de Chevalier charges out of the gate with bold expressions of cassis, warm blackberries and boysenberries plus touches of menthol, chocolate box and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is finely crafted with bags of freshness and a finely grained texture, finishing long and with impressive energy.

The 2010 Domaine de Chevalier shows a little more amplitude compared to the Malartic-Lagravière, red and black fruit, undergrowth, pressed rose petals and a touch of crushed stone all beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins but demonstrating great depth. This feels saline, slightly marine-influenced in the mouth, with outstanding precision on the slightly peppery finish. Oliver Bernard oversaw a magnificent Grand Vin. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.

Saturated, bright ruby-red. Vibrant aromas of cassis, plum and minerals, plus a hint of hot stones. Then juicy but tight and imploded in the mouth, showing terrific concentration and grip to its flavors of black fruits, minerals and licorice. Very cabernet in its precision and cut. Finishes with a solid spine for two or three decades of positive evolution in bottle. I would not want to touch this until at least 2020.

(63% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot) Deep ruby-purple. Fresh aromas of dark berries, violet, smoked meat, spices and minerals. Concentrated and chewy in the mouth, offering a compellingly mouthcoating texture and superb thrust to its creamy red cherry, blackberry jam and black pepper flavors. Plenty of tannins here but they're nicely supported by the wine's sweet middle. Finishes very long, with a mineral nuance and a suggestion of blackberry syrup.