2020 Domaine de Chevalier L'Esprit de Chevalier Pessac-Leognan

About the Wine

L'Esprit de Chevalier is the second wine from the renowned Domaine de Chevalier Grand Cru Classé from Graves. Since 1986, the Domaine created this label with practically the same grapes and quality standards that they use for their Grand Cru Classé, the result is a complex, balanced, elegant, and well-structured wine, and quoting James Suckling, it is truly a "Fantastic Second Wine!"

If you want to taste the magic of the Grand Vin “Domaine de Chevalier” without having to spend an arm and a leg, the L’Esprit de Chevalier is your new best friend! I can assure you that this wine will charm you as much as its older brother.

Domaine de Chevalier is regarded as one of the most important estates in the prestigious Pessac-Leognan appellation.

Taking a unique approach during harvest, all grape sorting is done exclusively in the vineyards, even if it means some grapes are picked one at a time! To combat potential frost damage they employ wind machines and even helicopters in certain vintages. The reason this works is that it mixes the lower layers of cold air where the vines are with warmer air above the vines in order to avoid damage from frost. These types of meticulous practices are how they garnered a reputation for producing great wine even in average vintages.

Remaining a family-owned and managed estate. Olivier Bernard who began managing the estate at 23 years old in 1983 is now joined by his wife Anne Bernard and their two sons. Sustainable vineyard practices have been adopted to tend to the vines which are an average of 50 years old.

Surrounding many of the estates that performed best during the Graves Classification of 1959, Pessac-Leognan was established in 1987 in order to recognize the high-quality red and white wines produced here.

2020 was a great year for Bordeaux. Vinous Media blessed this year with a 97-point review and said, "Two thousand-twenty is an exceptional vintage for Bordeaux, certainly the best in the 2018-2020 trilogy. Quality is very, very high."

Aging: 18 months in barrels (60% new)

Tasting Notes

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Fruity aromas, notes of red, black fruits, and smoked notes. On the palate, it is full-bodied with fine and elegant tannins and a long finish.

Critical Reviews

The lead pencil and blackcurrant aromas are very impressive. Full-bodied and tannic, but very velvety with fine texture. Lots of pretty fruit. Typical for the appellation. Second wine of Domaine de Chevalier. Try after 2028. ~95 James Suckling

Extremely modern with an open, essential sensory character alternating notes of mixed red and white flowers. There's more in the citrusy background giving vivacity and freshness. Medium bodied, biting tannins and a slim finish which explodes from the centre palate onwards. Simply wonderful. Better from 2024. ~95 WinesCritic.com

The 2020 L'Esprit De Chevalier is more restrained aromatically, yet has outstanding purity in its red and black fruits as well as notes of dried herbs, tobacco, chocolate, and damp earth. It's a medium-bodied, elegant, balanced, and certainly delicious second wine that will benefit from just a year or two of bottle age and shine for a decade. ~91 Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 Esprit de Chevalier has a very perfumed, floral bouquet with pressed iris and peony infusing the blackberry and blueberry fruit. Very controlled and classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with quite concentrated black fruit laced with white pepper and a touch of Provençal herbs. Slight viscosity here, powerful with a generous finish, this is a superb Deuxième Vin that should give 12-15 years' drinking pleasure. ~91 Vinous Media

The 2020 L'Esprit de Chevalier Rouge is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little shaking to wake up notes of baked plums, blackcurrants, and boysenberries, followed by hints of tar, dried sage, and chargrill with a waft of black olives. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, notes of youthful black fruits and savory accents are complemented by fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a mineral note. ~91 The Wine Independent

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