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2010 Domaine De Chevalier

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased at retail

Light label condition issue

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased at retail

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

95The Wine Advocate

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Domaine de Chevalier charges out of the gate with bold expressions of cassis, warm blackberries and boysenberries plus touches of menthol, chocolate box and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is finely crafted with bags of freshness and a finely grained texture, finishing long and with impressive energy.

93Wine Spectator

This has drive and intensity, displaying lots of steeped currant, anise and blackberry coulis notes pushed by tar and briar flavors. The ample finish sports roasted juniper and iron accents, with nicely inlaid acidity to drive it all home.

93+ Stephen Tanzer

Vibrant aromas of cassis, plum and minerals, plus a hint of hot stones. Then juicy but tight and imploded in the mouth, showing terrific concentration and grip to its flavors of black fruits, minerals and licorice.

92.8CellarTracker

PRODUCER

Domaine De Chevalier

Domaine de Chevalier is an 85-acre estate outside of Leognan, in France’s Bordeaux region. The estate dates to the 18th century and is today owned by Olivier Bernard. Though its overall production is relatively small at a total of about 200,000 bottles annually, it makes both red and white wines. Domaine de Chevalier is the flagship red wine and L’Esprit de Chevalier is the second red. Also produced are white wines of the same name. The whites are 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon. The reds are 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that Domaine de Chevalier “is a true connoisseur’s wine. The production is tiny and the wines are among the most highly sought of Pessac-Leognan, but most important, the quality can be impeccably high.”

REGION

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

Pessac-Léognan was created in 1987 from the northern part of the left bank Graves appellation. Before then it was simply part of Graves, or sometimes it was called Haut-Graves. Unlike many other Bordeaux appellations, Pessac-Léognan is known for both red and dry white wines, although its reds are more famous. The appellation includes ten communes and the area’s most important châteaux, including Château Haut-Brion, the only non-Médoc estate included in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. There are 2,964 acres of vineyards in Pessac-Léognan and 16 classified growth estates. The main red grapes grown are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, along with a small amount of Cabernet Franc. White grapes grown are Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, with a little Muscadelle. Pessac-Léognan is considered to have the best terroir of the greater Graves region.