Domaine de Chevalier 2004

A delicate and complex fine Pessac-Léognan white wine by Domaine de Chevalier

The producer

Owned by the Bernard family since 1983, the beautiful Domaine de Chevalier is at the top of the list of the finest Bordeaux Crus Classés. Like a secret garden, this iconic cru located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, to the south of Bordeaux, is surrounded by a green haven.

The vineyard

Domaine de Chevalier watches over a rare vineyard which comprises 5 hectares of white vines. A true patchwork of terroirs, the Domaine de Chevalier vineyard is composed of black sand and fine white gravel soil resting on a perfectly drained clay-gravel subsoil.

The vintage

Although the cool and dry weather conditions at the beginning of spring led to a late budburst (mid-April), the heat recorded at the beginning of May favoured the significant development of the vineyard. The even flowering period suggested a promising harvest. A hot and particularly dry month of June preceded a drop in temperature from the 5th of July onwards, combined with heavy rainfall. This episode was balanced out by high temperatures and dry weather during the last 15 days of July. Hot and stormy, August gave way to a month of September with plenty of sunshine and little rainfall, allowing the grapes to ripen. The grapes harvested were of high quality, ripe and revealed a good acidity.

The vinification and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand and undergo successive selections based on their level of ripeness. Alcoholic fermentation is carried out in barrels, as is the 18-month ageing period (35% new barrels), followed by regular stirring of the lees.

The blend

This Domaine de Chevalier 2004 dry white wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (85%) and Semillon (15%).

The tasting

Colour

Crystal-clear, the wine has a beautiful golden colour with subtle pale green highlights.

Nose

The nose blends fruity fragrances (pineapple, mango) with sweet, spicy (cinnamon) and citrus notes (lemon, mandarin).

Palate

Full and with a beautiful minerality, the mouth reveals its richness, its smooth feel and its power.