Winemaker Notes
Intense fruity brilliance, elegant and very complex. Fresh fragrances of citrus, herbs, and spring white flowers (hawthorn, acacia, elderflower) envelop the concentrated and very fresh white fruits (vine peach, nectarine, pear, passion fruit...) in a delicate manner. On the palate, this wine unfolds with distinguished elegance. Its richness and caressing texture, elegantly poised, are adorned with the wild flavors of the terroir. Beautiful floral bitters encase the juicy maturity of this blend. The acidic balance vibrates through the ensemble. The flavor radiance is intense, showcasing elegance and purity. Endless finish...
Blend: 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillon
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The class and purity of this benchmark white Bordeaux comes through clearly, with aromas of sliced Asian pears, green apples, stones and undertones of iodine and oyster shells. Linear and bright, with verve and focus. 70% sauvignon blanc and 30% semillon.
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Decanter
If you have a vintage with a heatwave, you can count on this estate to outperform, and it did again in 2023, with wine marked by refined aromas of wet stone, lemongrass, verbena, fresh herb, lime, quince and kiwi. This kaleidoscope of aromas and flavours is encapsulated in a smooth and vivacious palate that remains precise and with exciting precision through to a long finish. The somewhat high alcohol is balanced by the acidity as the team picked to attain ripeness, while not doing any malolactic fermentation to preserve freshness.
Barrel Sample: 96 -
Jeb Dunnuck
Ripe citrus, stone fruits, crushed stone, subtle toast, and spice nuances all emerge from the 2023 Domaine De Chevalier Blanc, a rich, medium to full-bodied white that has integrated acidity, concentration, and a great finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Blanc from Domaine de Chevalier ranks among the finest white wines produced in Bordeaux this vintage. Revealing aromas of spices, flowers, anise and fresh licorice, with oak rendered all but imperceptible, it is concentrated and structured, offering terrific depth at the core, racy acids and a mineral, saline and perfumed finish. The élevage here has elevated the wine rather than obscured it. Kudos! Rating: 96+
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Vinous
The 2023 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is one of the best dry whites of the year. Creamy and expansive, with terrific brightness, this exudes balance. Citrus confit, white pepper, mint, almond, pear and crushed rocks are some of the notes that build as the 2023 shows off its pedigree. I expect it will offer exceptional drinking for the next several decades. What else is new? –Antonio Galloni
Barrel Sample: 94-96 -
Wine Spectator
This lovely version shows a stylish set of chamomile, honeysuckle and jasmine notes draped over a core of yuzu, yellow apple and mirabelle plum, while warm brioche and salted butter accents lend a flattering edge to the suave finish. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
Sometimes light and crisp, other times rich and creamy, Bordeaux White Blends typically consist of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Often, a small amount of Muscadelle or Sauvignon Gris is included for added intrigue. Popularized in Bordeaux, the blend is often mimicked throughout the New World. Somm Secret—Sauternes and Barsac are usually reserved for dessert, but they can be served before, during or after a meal. Try these sweet wines as an aperitif with jamón ibérico, oysters with a spicy mignonette or during dinner alongside hearty Alsatian sausage.
Recognized for its superior reds as well as whites, Pessac-Léognan on the Left Bank claims classified growths for both—making it quite unique in comparison to its neighboring Médoc properties.
Pessac’s Chateau Haut-Brion, the only first growth located outside of the Médoc, is said to have been the first to conceptualize fine red wine in Bordeaux back in the late 1600s. The estate, along with its high-esteemed neighbors, La Mission Haut-Brion, Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Pique-Caillou and Chateau Pape-Clément are today all but enveloped by the city of Bordeaux. The rest of the vineyards of Pessac-Léognan are in clearings of heavily forested area or abutting dense suburbs.
Arid sand and gravel on top of clay and limestone make the area unique and conducive to growing Sémillon and Sauvignon blanc as well as the grapes in the usual Left Bank red recipe: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and miniscule percentages of Petit Verdot and Malbec.
The best reds will show great force and finesse with inky blue and black fruit, mushroom, forest, tobacco, iodine and a smooth and intriguing texture.
Its best whites show complexity, longevity and no lack of exotic twists on citrus, tropical and stone fruit with pronounced floral and spice characteristics.