Domaine de Chevalier, Blanc 2001

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

One of the great white Domaine de Chevaliers, the loaded 2001 tastes like liquid stones intermixed with honeyed grapefruit, orange marmalade, and smoked herbs. It boasts great intensity, a surprising amount of glycerin, and tremendous depth as well as persistence on the palate. It will undoubtedly close down and go into a backward stage, but it looks to be a legendary Domaine de Chevalier. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Note: Due to space limitations, no tasting notes have been included, only my qualitative score. Obviously, the 2001 dry whites are extremely long-lived wines. They can be drunk young or cellared for 20-30+ years. I recently had the pleasure of tasting the 1962 Domaine de Chevalier, which was still incredibly fresh and lively. In many ways, these whites age even more slowly than red Bordeaux.

robert_parker89

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

First tasted April 2003: clear colour. A strong grassy nose - very fresh and Sauvignon like. The palate has good balance with apple and pear notes. Lots of vitality here. Quite vivacious and sprightly. Fine. Again in November 2003: there seems to be more pronounced new oak since earlier in the year. Dominates the nose. The palate is very smooth, creamy and rich as if emulating a New World wine. Carbonnieux has more class this year.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the chateau. Mixed reactions to this wine in the past, but here the Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2001 does nothing but impress. It has a more complex nose than the 2000 with citrus lemon, coconut and lychee aromas all with arresting definition. The palate is exquisitely balanced, focused with very good acidity, notes of apples, lychee and a touch of guava towards the finish. Excellent length. Superb. Tasted September 2008.