Domaine de Chevalier 2022

The freshness and intensity of a great Pessac-Léognan red wine

The estate

Owned by the Bernard family since 1983, the magnificent Domaine de Chevalier is one of Bordeaux's finest Cru Classés. The estate is located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, in a green setting south of Bordeaux.

The vineyard

Domaine de Chevalier 2022 rouge oversees a rare vineyard comprising 60 hectares of vines, in conversion to Organic Farming. The vines are planted on a gravelly terroir with clay and gravel subsoils, giving rise to a great Pessac-Léognan wine.

The wine

To celebrate Olivier Bernard's 40th harvest at the helm of the estate, the bottles of this 2022 vintage are adorned with a unique label, illustrated with the work created in 1941 by the famous Chinese artist, Xu Bei Hong, who was a student at the Beaux-Arts in Paris. "Cheval Galopant" is a powerful symbol of the dynamism of Domaine de Chevalier since its acquisition by the Bernard family in 1983.

The vintage

A relatively dry, cool winter delayed budburst, protecting the vines from frosts until March. The mild weather from mid-April onwards favoured fine flowering and rapid vegetative development. The month of June was marked by an initial heatwave, as well as by a hailstorm that hit the western side of the rows on the evening of 18 June. The vineyards, particularly the old vines, withstood a hot and particularly dry July, which was followed by a hot August punctuated by two rainy spells. The fine weather in September, accompanied by sparse rainfall, was ideal for fine-tuning the ripening process.

Winemaking and ageing

Hand-picked in small crates. Sorting in the vineyard is followed by a second selection on a table with optical sorting before de-stemming. Vinification in four vats (steel vats, stainless steel vats, concrete tulip vats and wooden vats) to optimise the plot selection and refine the blend. Aged in barrels (1/3 new) for 16 to 18 months.

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (63%)
Merlot (30%)
Petit Verdot (5%)
Cabernet Franc (2%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for Domaine de Chevalier 2022

Tasting

A vintage for the history books, 2022 delights with its great delicateness and fine tannins, harmoniously combined with an aromatic intensity that suggests exceptional ageing potential.