Domaine De Chevalier Blanc, 2022 - Magnum
Domaine De Chevalier Blanc, 2022 - Magnum
- 150cl
- 13.5%
- White Still
- Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
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Optimal drinking window: 2028 - 2055
Domaine de Chevalier produces one of Bordeaux's most coveted white wines from their gravelly plateau in Pessac-Léognan. Among the most compelling in all Bordeaux.
The 2022 shows the estate's mastery of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, fermented and aged in oak to create a wine of remarkable depth and longevity. The magnum format will reward patience - we'd suggest holding until at least 2028 to see this wine's full complexity emerge, though it's already drinking well for those who can't wait.
The vineyards sit on the classic Graves terroir that gives the region its name—deep gravel beds over sand and clay subsoils. This free-draining soil composition provides excellent water regulation while the gravel stones store and reflect heat, creating ideal ripening conditions. The white grapes benefit particularly from the cooler clay patches, which retain moisture and preserve the natural acidity that makes these wines so age-worthy. The microclimate here is slightly cooler than the Left Bank, perfect for maintaining freshness in white varieties.
Pessac-Léognan was carved out from the larger Graves appellation in 1987 to recognise the superior quality of its ten classified châteaux. The appellation specialises in both red and white wines, with the whites particularly prized for their longevity and complexity. Unlike most Bordeaux regions, white wine production here enjoys equal status with reds, and the Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon blends are considered among the world's finest. The gravelly soils and proximity to Bordeaux city create a unique terroir that produces wines of remarkable elegance and ageing potential.
The 2022 growing season in Bordeaux threw everything at the vines: a warm, dry spring that brought flowering forward, followed by scorching summer heat that had many producers genuinely worried about their fruit. By August, some vineyards were showing real stress, with leaf burn and shrivelling grapes becoming common sights across the Left Bank. The saving grace came in September when temperatures dropped and gentle rains arrived just when the vines needed them most, allowing the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon to finish properly whilst preserving freshness.
What emerged from this rollercoaster was a vintage of surprising quality, though yields were predictably low. The reds show concentrated fruit with ripe tannins that avoid the harsh edge that excessive heat can bring - that September reprieve really mattered. Merlot fared particularly well, ripening before the worst of the summer stress, whilst Cabernet Sauvignon varies more depending on terroir and how well individual estates managed the heat. We're finding the wines drink beautifully now with immediate charm, though the better examples will certainly reward patience over the next decade.
What the critics say:
"Very complex aromas of pears, persimmons, honey and cooked apples. Mineral undertones. Always subtle and multidimensional. Full-bodied with a tight and dense middle palate that gives a superb mouthfeel. It's lively and flavorful at the end but in a reserved way. Just a hint of bitter lemon and lilac. I really want to drink this, but give it three or four years to reach the right place."
"Based on 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon that spent nine months in barrel, the 2022 Domaine De Chevalier Blanc is a brilliant white revealing a vivid gold hue as well as bright citrus, crushed stone, mint, and honeysuckle-driven nuances. Pure, focused, and elegant, it has remarkable balance, integrated acidity, medium to full body, and a beautifully layered texture. It should evolve beautifully for 20+ years."
"The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is quite dense on the palate. Pear, apricot, spice, white flowers and lightly honeyed notes build in the glass. Even in this brutally warm year, the Blanc retains a good bit of energy. As readers know, the Blanc is a rare white that demands cellaring to be at its very best. Its age-worthiness will be measured in decades. Tasted three times."
OUR GROWERS
Domaine De Chevalier
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