1 | Wine | Pessac-leognan / Graves, $20 to $50 | Page 2

"A blend of just over 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot (last year I mistakenly wrote that the balance was Cabernet Franc), the opaque ruby/purple-colored 2009 reveals notes of scorched earth/burning embers/charcoal, black currants, ripe cherries and lead pencil shavings. Full-bodied and pure with sweet tannin, this is an under-the-radar, high quality claret to drink over the next 20-25 years." -Robert Parker

"A sleeper of the vintage and better than its 2010 sibling. ...the plum/garnet-hued 2008 possesses a smoky barbecue, charcoal/burning ember character intermixed with ripe, sweet cherry and black currant fruit. Medium-bodied and beautifully concentrated with silky tannins as well as a long finish, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-15 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"A sleeper of the vintage from this under-the-radar estate, this is a complex, fragrant, sexy style of wine with deep ruby purple color, loads of red and black fruits intermixed with caramelized character, supple tannins, a savory and expansive mid-palate and finish, and sweet tannin. I found this wine extremely endearing and far better from bottle than it had shown from barrel." -Robert Parker

"Blueberry and flowers, with hints of sweet tobacco on the nose. Full-bodied, with polished and silky tannins and a long, juicy finish. Best ever from here." 90-93 pts.

"Juicy and direct, with solid plum, raspberry and bitter cherry notes pushed by woodspice, singed alder and charcoal. Nice range, and with a pleasantly chewy, grippy feel."

"One of the most successful wines of the vintage. ...this blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot achieved 13.5% natural alcohol. It exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with sweet notes of creosote, graphite, lead pencil shavings, black currants, plums and licorice. Medium to full-bodied and silky with good underlying acidity, it is a juicy, savory, quintessentially elegant wine that will benefit from several years of cellaring and last for 15+ years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Nicely polished for the vintage. ...showing a plush feel to the fig paste, currant preserve and blackberry notes, which are pushed through the finish by a slightly firm tarry edge that keeps this honest."

"One of the stars of the vintage, it boasts a dense purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of red and black currants, graphite, subtle flowers and well-integrated, toasty oak. Impressively built rich and medium to full-bodied without losing the quintessential elegance and finesse for which this famous estate is renowned, the 2012 Domaine de Chevalier is filled with purity, equilibrium and balance. The tannins are sweet enough that this wine should be accessible when released, and will last for 15-20 years." -Robert Parker

"The 2012 reveals plenty of Christmas fruitcake notes intermixed with a hint of roasted herbs, sweet, jammy black currant and black cherry fruit, and a touch of background oak in an exuberant, quasi-opulent style with outstanding intensity, richness and blossoming complexity. It is an impressive example of a Pessac-Leognan, one of the stronger appellation in the 2012 vintage."
Reviewed by: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate - 90 to 92 pts

"A bright tobacco leaf and savory note up front is followed by sleek black cherry, plum and blackberry fruit that has melded nicely. Long, alder-tinged finish has lovely minerality. Distinctive."