2005 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc Bordeaux White

2005 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc

97 WS

Featured Review

Displays lemon, honey, mineral, fennel seed and lime aromas. Full-bodied, this fills the mouth with lime, apple tart and vanilla character. Very, very intense. Fantastic. Needs time to come together. The best white from this estate in a long time. Best after 2014. 2,080 cases made. Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator | 97 WS

The 2005 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is fabulous. That’s the good news. The not so good news, if we can call it that, is that is still very young! That won’t surprise readers who are familiar with the Blanc, which happens to be one of the greatest whites made anywhere in the world. The warm, dry vintage has given the 2005 a good deal of body and richness, with pretty tropical accents that lend a real sense of exoticism. Readers lucky enough to own the 2005 will want to cellar it for a few years, as it is in adolescent stage where it is not young, but also not mature. All I can say is: What a wine!

Antonio Galloni | 96 AG

This is as layered and rich as a red wine but shows intense character of minerals, honey, lemon and stones on the nose and palate. Full body with a pretty depth of fruit and a long, long finish. Strength with beauty. Drink or hold.

James Suckling | 96 JS

The 2005 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is terrific, and while drinking beautifully today, should cruise for another decade or more in the cellar. Caramelized lemons, crushed rocks, and citrus oil all emerge from this rich, weighty, beautifully concentrated 2005 that has racy acidity, tons of extract, and a chiseled, bone-dry finish. It you like serious Bordeaux Blanc, this is one to seek out.

Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JD

Domaine de Chevalier’s fabulous 2005 white offers terrific acidity, body, and texture as well as high acidity, which suggests this wine should enjoy an incredibly long life. I recently had the 1985 at a charity dinner, and it is still remarkably youthful. The 2005 may last just as long, if not longer. Hints of figs, licorice, honeysuckle, and lemon oil are accompanied by a concentrated, dry, nearly austere wine, but there is so much going on, that it should be prodigious with another decade of cellaring. It will last for 30-40+ years.

Robert Parker | 95 RP

The freshness of this wine feels timeless. It's still there four days after the bottle was opened, a beautiful fruit presence that's as essential as the feel of summer rain, rather than the taste of any fruit that rain may become. Depending on the moment you approach the wine, it's become a complex range of flavors, perhaps dried pineapple, orange pith or sour cherry, jasmine, honeysuckle or ginger. The descriptions may be overwrought, but the wine remains reserved (the wine makes me think of Catherine Deneuve, which is enough to make me happy). This will live well for 20 years or more.

Wine & Spirits | 95 W&S

A crisp, citrus wine, with good fresh fruit flavors. This has clean acidity, along with its ripe fruits, tempered with a touch of wood. As it develops, this wine will become bigger and more important.

Wine Enthusiast | 93 WE

Type of Wine	Bordeaux White : In the world of wine, all other regions must bow before Bordeaux. The absurdly-talented white wine producers continue to assert their dominance by bringing out the true potential of varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Sauvignon Gris. If you have even the slightest bit of appreciation for fine white wine, these bottles will change your life.
Varietal	White Bordeaux Blend : There is no question that red wine dominates the region of Bordeaux. With that being said, four million cases of white Bordeaux (Bordeaux Blanc) are produced each year, accounting for 10% of the region’s total production. Classic White Bordeaux Blends are perhaps the most overlooked white wines in the world today. The main varietals of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle, each bring their trademark characteristics in the creation of ethereal quality whites. Classic blends are pale in color, with flashes of golden-green, and are characterized by aromas of citrus, grass and hay. An array of flavors of honeyed lemon, orange marmalade, dried apricot and preserved tropical flavors (depending on age) infiltrate the palate. When the wines are produced according to tradition and in line with appellation laws, a classic Bordeaux white wine will contain at least 25% Sauvignon Blanc to ensure aromatic freshness. Lighter-styled, aromatic wines will contain higher levels of Muscadelle, and for a richer, more cellar-worthy style, a higher proportion of Semillon is used. Perhaps the greatest expression of classic, dry white Bordeaux blends hails from the Pessac-Leognan and Graves appellations. Here, the terroir is characterized by many lightly-sloping low rises that ensure good drainage, facilitated by a network of small streams that act as natural drains. Soils are mostly comprised of river gravel deposits up to eight meters deep, left behind by the Garonne River on limestone bedrock. The gravel captures heat during the day and releases it into the soil at night aiding in the growth and vitality of the vine roots. It is also the hottest meso-climate of all Bordeaux appellations. Numerous producers in Pessac-Leognan make stellar white Bordeaux wine, but the undisputed king is Chateau Haut Brion Blanc. It combines intensity of flavor with rich textures, concentration, and complexity and has the ability to age for decades. Domaine de Chevalier, Smith Haut Lafitte and Malartic Lagraviere are also atop the pyramid of producing classic, dry white Bordeaux blends. These wines can rival the greatest whites in the world. The Left and Right Bank also produce white Bordeaux blends; however, due to AOC laws and guidelines on allowable varietals, the wines are produced and sold as generic Bordeaux Blanc. Cos d’Estournel in Saint Estephe (Left Bank) produces a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. In the Right Bank, Monbousquet Blanc is a terrific example of the dry, white blends of the appellation with its balance of 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sauvignon Gris and 5% each of Muscadelle and Semillon. They may be overshadowed by their red counterpart, but top-quality white Bordeaux blends are simply stunning, unique, sexy and luscious. Today, the quality of white Bordeaux wine has never been better.
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.

Producer	Domaine de Chevalier : Like many great Bordeaux estates, Domaine de Chevalier has witnessed a long and storied history. One of the things that makes the domaine unique; however, is how it achieved fame in a relatively short time compared to the majority of Bordeaux great growth, which took several centuries to acquire a similar status. The tremendous terroir of Pessac-Leognan is certainly a major component, but also because it has been managed by a limited number of owners, who all considered it essential to perpetuate a tradition of quality. That quest for quality is an ongoing priority at Domaine de Chevalier, today. The Left Bank property can be traced back to the 17th Century; archives show that the small Domaine de Chivaley (meaning “knight” in Gascon) included multiple houses, outbuildings, gardens, meadows, woods and vines. The true birth of Domaine de Chevalier; however, occurred more “recently” in 1865 when it was acquired by Arnaud and Jean Ricard. The Ricard family stewarded over the property with care and purpose, each member providing the essential guidance and aptitude that allowed the domaine to prosper. Under Claude Ricard’s leadership, the estate was included among the elite Grands Crus in the 1953 Classification of the Graves. He is also responsible for crystallizing its reputation and gaining a true international dimension. In 1983, Domaine de Chevalier was purchased by the Bernard family, and Olivier was placed in charge at the young age of 23. Despite his youth, he was well qualified to manage the property. In his wisdom, he recognized the need to retain the current winemaking team, but to also seek knowledge from Claude Ricard, himself. Through this humble beginning, Olivier Bernard was able to understand the Chevalier’s true nature. Neighboring plots were purchased in order to expand the vineyards, all aspects of winegrowing was revisited, and new buildings were constructed, with the overall goal of producing the highest quality wines possible. The entire estate of Domaine de Chevalier covers 100 hectares, 45 of which are under vine: 40 hectares are planted to 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The white grape varieties account for 5 hectares and are planted to 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon. The vines are, on average, 30 years of age and thrive in a terroir of gravel, black sand and clay and hardpan soil. The topography plays a vital role in the growth and vitality of the vines, where elevations reaching 60 meters (the highest elevation in the appellation) above sea level, allow for superb drainage of excess water. The exceptional terroir of Chevalier produces superb grapes that ripen remarkably early, as long as it is treated with the care it deserves. With this being said, great wine always comes from a difficult terroir, under trying conditions. “To make the most of a given terroir, it is fundamental to know it intimately,” insists Olivier Bernard. The team at Chevalier are perfectly in tune with the complex soil structure and unique environment. The philosophy is total commitment… great wine can only be made from great grapes, and the way the grapes are tended and picked at Domaine de Chevalier illustrates the winegrowing team’s quest for perfection. Annual production for Domaine de Chevalier Rouge (red) and the estate’s second wine, L’Esprit de Chevalier is around 6,500 cases, while Domaine de Chevalier Blanc (white) is close to 1,000 cases each year. The flagship red will reach its peak maturity 8-12 years after the vintage and will age gracefully for 30 years or more. Perhaps even more impressively, the Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is one of the longest-lived wines in all of Bordeaux, with numerous great vintages of this wine from the 1950s, 1940s and even older that can be enjoyed with great pleasure today. This is a testament to Domaine de Chevalier, its terroir and the remarkable individuals that have, through history, developed a brand that is synonymous with quality.