2025 Domaine de Chevalier L’Esprit de Chevalier Rouge
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| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2025 |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Drink window | 2029 - 2038 |
| Available as of | Mar 1, 2028 |
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Domaine de Chevalier Winery
Domaine de Chevalier belongs to the absolute elite of Pessac-Léognan and is one of the most respected Grand Cru Classé de Graves estates in Bordeaux. The château is nestled in a wooded setting in Léognan and is known for its elegant, terroir-driven style. Since the Bernard family took over the estate in 1983, the emphasis has been on precision, balance, and refinement. L'Esprit de Chevalier, introduced in 1989, is the château's second wine and is made following the same philosophy as the Grand Vin, but with a more accessible character at a younger age. More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.
Region, climate and location
L'Esprit de Chevalier Rouge comes from Pessac-Léognan, an appellation south of Bordeaux known for refined wines with tension, minerality, and aging potential. The vineyards are situated on gravelly soils with a subsoil of clay and gravel, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon but also excellently suited for Merlot. This combination results in ripe tannins, aromatic precision, and a recognizable mineral freshness.
The 2025 vintage is regarded by the château itself as one of the strongest of recent years. The winter provided sufficient water reserves, followed by a dry and mild spring without frost. From mid-June, warm and dry summer weather persisted, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees. However, thanks to deep root systems and light rain in late August, the grapes remained fresh and perfectly balanced. Furthermore, cool nights during ripening helped to preserve tension and aromatic precision. According to Domaine de Chevalier, 2025 is all about freshness, precision, and aromatic complexity.
Vineyards and grape varieties
The blend of L'Esprit de Chevalier Rouge 2025 consists of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone of the wine, bringing freshness, structure, and length. Merlot adds roundness and ripe fruit, while Petit Verdot provides extra depth and spiciness. The alcohol remains remarkably modest at 12.5%, which aligns perfectly with the classic style of Domaine de Chevalier.
L'Esprit de Chevalier is composed primarily of young vines and carefully selected cuvées that do not quite possess the absolute precision of the Grand Vin, but clearly bear the same terroir expression and signature. The estate owns approximately 60 hectares of red vineyards and works in a highly plot-oriented manner to achieve maximum quality.
Harvest, vinification and aging
The harvest took place between September 11 and 30 under excellent conditions. The grapes were rigorously selected in the vineyard, followed by manual bunch selection and additional optical and densimetric sorting of the berries to use only perfectly ripe fruit.
Vinification took place in a combination of stainless steel tanks, concrete tulip vessels, cube-shaped vats, and wooden vats. These various fermentation methods allow for optimal work per plot. Subsequently, the wine ages in barrels for approximately fourteen months, creating extra texture and complexity without loss of freshness.
Color, smell and taste
The 2025 L'Esprit de Chevalier Rouge opens expressively and refinedly with aromas of blackcurrants, cassis, ripe red cherries, and raspberries. The fragrance displays distinct floral nuances of violets and subtle spices, complemented by graphite, light earthy notes, and a refined mineral tension.
On the palate, medium-bodied, energetic, and remarkably precise. The fruit feels pure and layered, with ripe red and dark berries supported by refined tannins and lively acidity. Neal Martin particularly highlights the classic Pessac-Léognan signature of graphite, tension, and finesse, while James Suckling emphasizes the clarity of the fruit and the polished tannins.
What stands out most is the combination of accessibility and terroir expression. Despite its status as a second wine, this feels very serious, with spicy nuances, subtle salinity, and an elegant freshness that contrasts beautifully with the ripe fruit. The finish is refined, juicy, and harmonious, with soft tannins and a nice length. As Domaine de Chevalier itself indicates, the difference compared to the Grand Vin is sometimes surprisingly small.
Development and drinking window
The 2025 L'Esprit de Chevalier Rouge was deliberately crafted to be more accessible at a younger age than Domaine de Chevalier itself, without sacrificing complexity or terroir expression.
A drinking window from approximately 2029 to 2042 seems realistic. In the first years, fruit, freshness, and floral notes dominate. With additional bottle aging, more notes of graphite, cedarwood, spices, and subtle earthy nuances will emerge.
Summary of professional reviews
92-93 points – James Suckling: praises the balance, fine tannins, and bright fruit expression. 91-93 points – Neal Martin, Vinous: emphasizes the classic Pessac signature with cassis, graphite, and tension. 92 points – Decanter: praises the refinement and precision of the wine. 91-93 points – Alexandre Ma: calls the wine harmonious and elegant. 90-92 points – Wine Advocate: praises the structure and freshness. 90 points – Jane Anson: emphasizes the balance and drinkability. The full review texts can be found in the tab: Professional reviews.
Wine & Food and Discount
If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.
You can read full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers. In the Food tab, you will find advice on what to look for for the right food and wine pairing, and a number of dish suggestions from our Sommelier.
| Available as of | Mar 1, 2028 |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Winery | Domaine de Chevalier |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2025 |
| Drinking as of | 2029 |
| Drinking till | 2038 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | En Primeur |
| Parker rating | 92 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Donker fruit, Krachtig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Terras |
| Sommy Pairing Beschrijving | Deze Pessac-Léognan opent met tonen van cassis en zwarte bessen, ondersteund door rijpe framboos, viooltjes en subtiele grafietachtige en kruidige accenten, met verfijnde tannines, een levendige zuurgraad en een medium tot volle body. Dankzij die frisse zuurgraad en stevige maar gepolijste tannines vult de wijn het rijke karakter van rundvlees en lam prachtig aan, snijdt hij door het vet van charcuterie en geeft hij tegenwicht aan gerijpte kazen; hij komt bijzonder goed tot zijn recht bij gegrild of medium-rare gebakken entrecote met zwarte peper en rozemarijn, langzaam gegaarde lamsschouder met een kruidige jus en bij droge saucisson of krachtige, oude kazen zoals Comté of oude Gouda. |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP (90-92)
Reviewed by:
Yohan Castaing
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
N/A
The 2025 L'Esprit de Chevalier, a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, reveals a notably expressive bouquet for the estate, with aromas of cassis, raspberry, spice and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, juicy and round, it shows a touch of firmness, with extraction that is somewhat marked at this stage. The finish is structured but not drying, preserving balance.
Located in the gravel, sandy soils of Pessac-Léognan, Domaine de Chevalier today spans 67 hectares and operates with a quiet sense of control. When the Bernard family took over in 1983, the vineyard counted only 20 hectares; expansion followed into the surrounding woodland, much of which still frames the estate, planted on the same Günzian gravel and black sands over iron-rich clay.
This is a site of contrasts: cold in winter under its forest canopy, yet warm in summer as stones reflect heat and darker soils retain it. Sauvignon Blanc finds its place in the coolest sectors and Cabernet Sauvignon in the warmest, with the remaining varieties in between. Farming is now organic and biodynamic, with cover crops, drainage work in humid parcels and high canopies—sometimes managed without hedging—forming part of the approach.
In the cellar, the direction remains measured. The reds are destemmed and see gentle extraction, with long macerations and restrained pigeage. The whites undergo long pressing, followed by barrel-fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wines spend their first year in barrels, modestly new-oaked, followed by racking and further élevage in older wood. The whites are bottled under Diam technical closures to ensure consistency.
Since the 1980s, the style has shifted in phases. Early replanting led to a loss of the estate’s historic intensity and weight; the 2000s pursued greater maturity and more evident oak. Today, the wines return to a more seamless expression—discreet, structured and persistent—closer in spirit to earlier decades.
Published: Apr 30, 2026
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Domaine de Chevalier is located in a clearing in the middle of a forest that protects the vines from extreme temperatures. In fact, Chevalier is a kind of secret garden. The estate is located in Graves, the oldest wine region in Bordeaux. According to this winery, balance is the most essential for a good wine. Balance between the spirit that pervades the estate and the people who work there year after year who are able to further improve their already considerable skills. The philosophy of Domaine de Chevalier is that only a great terroir can produce a good wine.
History
Chevalier's history is an integral part of his identity. The real birth of the estate dates back to the second half of the 19th century. Until recently, the forest took up most of the western part of Graves where the estate is located. Archives from the 17th century show that the small Domaine de Chivaley included houses, outbuildings, gardens, grounds, vineyards, forests and meadows. The name "Chivaley" (meaning "knight" at the time) and is believed to have been traced to the presence of the very old pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela which still borders the estate.
One of the things that makes Chevalier unique is how it gained fame in a relatively short time. This is of course due to the terroir but presumably also because over the years Domaine de Chevalier was managed by only a limited number of owners, who all considered it essential to keep the tradition of quality.
Only 3 men have managed Domaine de Chevalier from when it was bought by Arnaud and Jean Ricard in 1865 until it was bought by the Bernard family in 1983. Jean Ricard is considered the real creator of Chevalier. However, his son-in-law, Gabriel Beaumartin, who spent 40 years in service, was responsible for crystallizing Jean's reputation.
Claude Ricard has run the estate for 35 years. Claude was highly respected and had encyclopedic knowledge of wine growing. Under his leadership, the estate was included in the elite grands crus in the 1953 Graves classification. It is also thanks to Claude Ricard that the castle has acquired a truly international dimension.
In 1983, Domaine de Chevalier was bought by the Bernard family and Olivier Bernard was appointed manager to continue the work of the past 120 years and take a long-term approach. This was to be based on preserving the family tradition and continuing to produce an excellent and famous wine steeped in history. In accordance with this mission, major investments have been made in the vineyard and the cellar. Significant expansion was carried out and all aspects of winegrowing were reviewed.
Method
Chevalier is all about quality and balance. The search for quality is a permanent priority. The way the grapes are picked illustrates the winemaking team's quest for perfection. The crop is monitored very carefully from 3 to 4 weeks before the estimated harvest date. The juice is analyzed regularly and the sugar levels are determined. The grapes are also tasted because when all is said and done, this is the only way to judge the quality of the juice. Tasting the grapes is especially important for red wine grapes, as physiological and phenolic ripeness are not necessarily reached at the same time. Through repeated taste tests and laboratory analyzes, the winegrowers can determine the picking order of the grapes in each plot according to the specific characteristics of the harvest year.
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Deze Pessac-Léognan opent met tonen van cassis en zwarte bessen, ondersteund door rijpe framboos, viooltjes en subtiele grafietachtige en kruidige accenten, met verfijnde tannines, een levendige zuurgraad en een medium tot volle body. Dankzij die frisse zuurgraad en stevige maar gepolijste tannines vult de wijn het rijke karakter van rundvlees en lam prachtig aan, snijdt hij door het vet van charcuterie en geeft hij tegenwicht aan gerijpte kazen; hij komt bijzonder goed tot zijn recht bij gegrild of medium-rare gebakken entrecote met zwarte peper en rozemarijn, langzaam gegaarde lamsschouder met een kruidige jus en bij droge saucisson of krachtige, oude kazen zoals Comté of oude Gouda.
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