Dear <<First Name>>,
Bordeaux 2019 En Primeur .. The show must go on !
We continue our 2019 EP offers with two wines from one of the top estates in Pessac-Léognan (Graves) on the left bank of the Gironde. The wines of Domaine de Chevalier are normally two of my favourite wines to taste at many of the En Primeur London events.
With over a dozen wines released again yesterday, the French are crunching through the over 500 wines to be released.
Pessac-Léognan is located in the main region of Graves and is famous for producing Red and White Bordeaux wines of equal quality.
Owned by Olivier Bernard since 1983, Domaine de Chevalier is a consistent performer with arguments on both sides for which wine is better. I can only imagine it would be like choosing a favourite child, there are fores and against both (but you would never say)!
The domain has once again produced two masterful wines and even more impressive are the discounts on the sell-out 2018 vintage - Rouge is 24% cheaper and Blanc is 17% cheaper.
Two different wines that can be enjoyed once bottled or rewarded for patience and cellared for 10+ years. With consistently good scores from James Suckling again underscores of the quality of the 2019 vintage and a must buy in my book.
Following on from Wednesday's mid morning release, we still have access to limited stocks of Chateau Palmer (£166.50 per btle) and more importantly, after an absence last year, the terrific Alter Ego de Palmer, a great value wine at £45 per btle and a must buy for any Margaux lover!
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The 2019 vintage and resulting En Primeur campaign will be remembered long into the history of these illustrious proceedings, with nature clearly giving something back to help heal some of the wounds. Starting more than 4 weeks late, we expect this to be a short and concentrated campaign.
The weather was particularly wet during the winter of 2018 but this was a saving grace as the long warm, dry summer came round quickly. The heat was fierce for a few short spells but the flowering was well established early on and the berries (fruit set) in a good place to compensate. A pleasant autumn, with the odd shower during harvest had already got some talking of the great potential, with well formed concentrated berries, with good acidity and healthy yields.
The term 'great vintage' is not used lightly in Bordeaux and certainly initial reports are of a very high quality, with comparisons to 2009, 2015 and 2016 previously earmarked as the best this century. Pricing is a key factor of any En Primeur campaign and expectations are it will much lower than 2018, due to current global crisis.
There has not been any of the traditional April trips to the Chateaux for day long tastings and lavish dinners, instead during these difficult times, pallets of samples have been arriving on the doorsteps of critics all over the world. Those that follow social media closely will have seen snippets of enthusiastic commentary as each appellation is meticulously poured, tasted and written up. Most have yet to publish any meaningful reports and accompanying notes but the signs are more than positive, if not glowing.
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James Suckling
"2019 is an exceptional year for Bordeaux wines... Some say 2019 is close to the excellent 2016 vintage but with perhaps slightly less tannin concentration. They all agree that the quality is very close to 2018, 2016 and 2015."
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With Chateau Pontet-Canet (98-99 pts - James Suckling), a powerhouse of modern day Bordeaux, selling out in Bordeaux over the weekend at £61 per btle (IB) this could define the 2019 vintage!
This level of pricing has rarely been seen in the last 15 years and was lower than the 2013 release price, which was certainly one of the poorest vintages in recent memory. This gives hope that possibly one the best quality vintages in the 21st century will unusually be one of the best value.
One for the drinkers!
We have also seen a new release from Chateau Latour (96+ pts Wine Advocate) this week, the first since they decided to no longer participate in the traditional En Primeur process in 2011, opting to release wine when the Chateau felt it was ready. At a release price of £2,100 for 6 bottles this also represents the cheapest vintage of the previous 10 years.
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Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)
"I have just begun receiving barrel samples of the 2019s and have so far been very impressed about how they have showed"
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Domaine de Chevalier
The Domaine de Chevalier located in Léognan, the Capital town of the Graves Region has a long history. It appears on the famous map of Pierre de Belleyme in 1783.
Domaine de Chevalier is located in a clearing in the middle of a forest that protects the vines from extremes of temperature. In fact, Chevalier is a sort of secret garden, far from the limelight. This is something of a paradox for such an excellent wine, among the greatest in Bordeaux.
In 1983 the estate was purchased by the Bernard Family, N° 1 in France on the spirits market and a major negociant of premium Bordeaux wines.
It has been run ever since by Olivier Bernard...
"Only a great terroir can produce a great wine… I often start out with these words when speaking about Domaine de Chevalier.
They convey our fundamental philosophy, not only with regard to viticulture, but also the spirit that pervades the estate, and the men and women who work here. They improve their already considerable skills year after year on behalf of that which is most essential to a fine wine in my opinion – balance "
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James Suckling (96-97 pts)
"The chocolate, walnut, dark-fruit and stone character is attractive. It’s full-bodied and very tight and linear with chewy yet polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Lots of intensity and complexity here, as always."
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2019 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5%Petit Verdot
The red Domaine de Chevalier is the flagship of the Pessac-Léognan appellation belongs to the elite of the great classified growths of Bordeaux.
The 120 hectare estate of Domaine de Chevalier has 65 hectares under vine. For the red wine, 58 hectares are planted to 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc.
During the 1980’s before Oliver Bernard took control of the property, the vineyard was planted to 80% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Grand Vin, Domaine de Chevalier, is annually produced in 7,000 cases of the red wine.
£246.00 per 6 x 750ml (IB)
£251.00 per 3 x 1500ml (IB)
"Intensely fruity, fresh and refined nose, of red and black fruits. The black cherry, blackberry and blueberry aromas dominate in a slightly peppery as well as sweet spices vibes.
Dense, delicate but concentrated palate, delicious and energetic. Magnificent concentration of finesse. Tight and elegant weft. The sweet flavors of ripe fruit are intense, salivating and followed by a gustatory complexity typical of this cru. Humus, graphite and liquorice. Great overall freshness.
Impeccable and harmonious balance between the smoothness and liveliness of different sensations. Great finish."
Winemaker Tasting Note
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2019 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
70% Sauvignon blanc, 30% Semillon
The 120 hectare estate of Domaine de Chevalier has 65 hectares under vine.
For the white Bordeaux wine, 7 hectares are planted to 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 10,000 vines per hectare. On average, the vines are close to 30 years of age.
The vineyard management techniques employed are sustainable farming methods. Today, over 30 hectares of vines are farmed using biodynamic farming techniques.
The white Domaine de Chevalier is recognized as one of the world’s finest dry wines.
£357.00 per 6 x 750ml (IB)
£362.00 per 3 x 1500ml (IB)
"This is an opulent, dense white with dried-apple and honey character. Salty and hot-stone notes, too. Full-bodied, round and phenolic. Formed and beautiful. Quite open. Intense length."
James Suckling (95-96 pts)
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All prices are 'In Bond' and exclude, duty, VAT & delivery and subject to availabilty and confirmation
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The wines above are subject to strict allocation on a first come first serve basis, confirmation and remaining unsold.
Different formats are available for most wines (375ml to 15L) at a small additional bottling cost.
Delivery is expected to commence in spring 2022.
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