Domaine de Chevalier (Futures Pre-sale) 2009

"Aromas of blueberries and lemon rind. Full body, with soft and velvety tannins and bright fruity finish. Refined and beautiful. Layered wine. Pure fruit. Gravelley. Stoney. So classy and complex. Try in 2020. "

97 Points

James Suckling

"In late 2011, I had the last bottle in my cellar of the 1970 Domaine de Chevalier. Much to my surprise, it was still holding on to life and remained gorgeously complex in that ethereal Graves style. The 2009, one of the finest Domaine de Chevaliers yet produced, reveals a striking bouquet of burning embers, sweet cherry, black and red currant fruit, spice box, cedar and lead pencil shavings. The tannins are sweet in this fleshy, full-bodied offering. It is built on the notion of extraordinary harmony, elegance and complexity. While not the most concentrated or flamboyant 2009, its intense aromas are already reasonably evolved and its lusciousness and balance are terrific. Made from an interesting blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, its yields of 45 hectoliters per hectare were slightly higher than many of its neighbors achieved. Drink it over the next 25 years."

95 Points

The Wine Advocate

"A firm wine, with great juiciness, ripeness, showing the freshness of the year as well as ripe fruits.
Barrel Sample: 93-95 Points "

95 Points

Wine Enthusiast

"Inky purple. Fresh, clean, rather delicate aromas of blackcurrant, violet, damp moss, leather and minerals are sweetened by a red cherry note. Smooth and soft, with very ripe strawberry syrup and blackberry flavors. Offers a fleshy quality that's supported by the stoniness typical of Chevalier. Nicely balanced, minerally and long, leaving behind a note of gunflint. I would not be at all surprised if this evolves in bottle to merit a score at the high end of my projected range.
Barrel Sample: 91-94 Points "

94 Points

International Wine Cellar

"Very rich, but sleek and pure, with beautiful mouthfeel and layers of enticing fig, steeped blackberry and warm currant confiture nicely stitched with black tea and mesquite. The long finish has a tarry underlay, but stays polished. Approachable for its mouthfeel, but has the balance to age nicely. Drink now through 2025."

93 Points

Wine Spectator