Domaine de Chevalier, Master Class with Olivier Bernard

Описание: In June 2018 at Domaine de Chevalier (Pessac-Leognan), owner Olivier Bernard presented a blind tasting of white wines to the Governors of the Commanderie de Bordeaux aux États-Unis. With the goal of examining the aging potential of white Bordeaux, the tasting consisted of three parts: Clos des Lunes “Lune d’Argent,” a dry white made by Domaine de Chevalier in Sauternes (⅔ semillon, providing good acidity due to the chalky soil in Sauternes, and ⅓ sauvignon blanc) from 3 different vintages; L’Esprit de Chevalier, the Domaine’s second wine (⅓ semillon giving roundness and, after 5-15 years, notes of sweetness and terroir, and ⅔ sauvignon blanc for structure) from 3 vintages; and an undisclosed vintage of Domaine de Chevalier blanc, served from double-magnum. For the first two flights, vintages were revealed to be identical: 2016, 2014 and 2012. In both flights, the group preferred the 2012 by far, whereas the 2014, shut down for the time being, came in last. The 2016s featured the young fruit typical of most white wines consumed today, whereas the more pleasurable 2012s showed more complexity, terroir and minerality. The final wine was the grand vin from 2002. Starting with reductive notes, the wine improved with decanting and became even more impressive as it developed in the glass. Conclusion: white Bordeaux with appropriate structure can benefit from aging for 10-20 years.

Tasting suggestion: compare the 2012 vintage (blancs, of course) for all three of these wines.