Domaine de Chevalier, Blanc 2013

vinous97

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2013 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is fabulous. White flowers, spices, mint, grapefruit and lemon peel all meld together in a distinctive wine bursting with personality. The flavors are bright and high-toned, while aging on the lees with a little bit of stirring adds texture. Intense, saline notes support the striking, crystalline finish. The 2013 seemed to get better with each tasting. This is a stunning wine by any measure. The blend is 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. Tasted three times.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

Bright straw-yellow. The captivating nose hints at a considerable semillon component, with its white stone fruit and beeswax notes accented by fresh citrus and white flowers. Bright and juicy but dense, with lively acidity providing clarity and cut to the white stone fruit and citrus fruit flavors. The finish is vibrant and long, with pronounced minerality and a nice floral touch. Outstanding white Bordeaux in the making.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is a blend 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. It has a potent bouquet with apple blossom and granite scents that are not as immediate as previous vintages but only nicely in the glass after 5 minutes aeration. The palate is a little spicy on the entry. It is a beautifully balanced white Domaine de Chevalier with a fine line of acidity. Perversely the bottle at the Chateau was reticent, but subsequent examples suggested dewy green apples, peach and citrus peel notes combining with devastating effect on the finish. This will be worth seeking out after bottling and would be my preference over its red counterpart. Tasted April 2014.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A strikingly rich, complex wine, the 2013 Domaine de Chevalier is a spectacular blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon that achieved 13% natural alcohol. It offers lots of lemon oil, orange blossom, crushed rock and white flower-like characteristics. It is super-intense and medium to full-bodied with a level of concentration rarely seen. Nevertheless, the tart acids, freshness and beautiful winemaking have resulted in a stunningly balanced, pure wine. It has 30-50 years of longevity ahead of it, although most of it will be drunk during its first decade of life.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2013 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is very refined on the nose. There is a sense of effortlessness here that is very persuasive, unfolding with lemon thyme and lime, just a touch of lychee in the background, everything in its right place. The palate is fresh and vibrant with nectarine and lime zest, a "cool" white Bordeaux, quite restrained and almost Chablis-like on the finish. This is a complex and intellectual offering from Olivier Bernard, dare I say, a thrilling wine in the making.