Domaine de Chevalier

Domaine de Chevalier is a highly-regarded wine estate in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of the Graves region just south of Bordeaux city. It was classified a Grand Cru Classé de Graves in 1959. The estate has around 45 hectares (110 acres) under vine on gravel and clay rich soils, with most of that dedicated to the red grape varieties. While Cabernet Sauvignon makes up the bulk of red plantings (64 percent), there is also Merlot (30 percent) as well as three percent Cabernet Franc and three percent Petit Verdot. Domaine de Chevalier is notable for having kept its 'domaine' title, which is more at home in Burgundy than it is in Bordeaux.

Dark in color, the wine pops with notes of Cuban cigars, smoke, black currants, flowers, blackberries, forest leaf and an intriguing hint of orange rind at the end of the nose. Full-bodied, plush, polished and well-defined, every layer offers nuance with silk and velvet textures. There is lift, energy, volume and depth on the palate, finishing with waves of dark red currants, creme de cassis, tobacco leaf, blackberry, savory herbs and a gentle wisp of spearmint on the back-end.