800-year-old Bernard family has had roots in Bordeaux long before they dabbled in Bordeaux wine scene. Their involvement in Domaine de Chevalier only commenced in early 1980s when the family took over the estate and placed the then-23-year-old Olivier Bernard as the manager. For decades, improvements have been done both in the vineyards and the winery, beginning with expansion of vineyard holdings and replanting of vines; then gradual modernization of winemaking facilities – including the installation of cylindrical vats and conversion to full use of technical cork (to eliminate the risk of cork taint). Today, Olivier and his wife are joined by their two sons, who are on their way to eventually take over the management of this reputable Grand Cru Classe estate in Graves. 

Currently, Domaine de Chevalier plants and manages 65 hectares of vines, of which the majority, near 90%, are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The remaining 10% is planted to Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. These vines thrive on a diversity of microclimates given the undulating landscape of the domaine’s vineyards. (Domaine de Chevalier owns the highest elevation vineyard within Pessac Leognan.At harvest, Domaine de Chevalier adopts  the same strategy as that of 1855 First Growth Chateau Margaux – they carry out sorting in the vineyards instead of back at the winery. This is a more technical and strenuous process – however it also hugely reduces the risk of oxidation and spoilage at the winery. Red wines are vinified in a variety of vessels, ranging from oak barrels and egg-shaped cement vats for old vine plots, to conical stainless steel vats for others. Oak maturation takes place in 40 to 60% new French oak barrels for 18 to 22 months.

Wine Score Packing Per Case Per Bottle Availability
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 1998 92 12 x 75cl $ 9,828 $ 819 In HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 1999 93 12 x 75cl £ 753 $ 603 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2000 94 12 x 75cl £ 961 $ 769 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2001 90 12 x 75cl £ 983 $ 786 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2003 90 12 x 75cl $ 7,207 $ 601 In HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2004 95 12 x 75cl $ 6,552 $ 546 In HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2005 95 12 x 75cl £ 999 $ 799 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2006 93 12 x 75cl £ 565 $ 452 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2007 93 12 x 75cl £ 590 $ 472 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2008 94 12 x 75cl £ 655 $ 524 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2009 96 12 x 75cl £ 845 $ 676 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2010 95 12 x 75cl £ 492 $ 788 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2011 94 12 x 75cl £ 534 $ 427 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2012 95 12 x 75cl $ 5,897 $ 491 In HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2013 (Mag) 92 6 x 150cl £ 382 $ 611 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2014 94 12 x 75cl £ 519 $ 415 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2015 97 6 x 75cl £ 272 $ 435 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2016 96 12 x 75cl £ 677 $ 541 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2017 95 6 x 75cl £ 246 $ 393 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2018 96 6 x 75cl £ 323 $ 516 6 – 8 weeks to HK

 

Their arguably more sought-after white wines are raised and fermented in 30% new French oak barrels in a cold room environment to enable preservation of aromatic nuances and acidity. Malolactic conversion is avoided, and the wine then see lees ageing for about a year, followed by 6 without lees before bottling. Domaine de Chevalier white wines are highly regarded as one of the best from Bordeaux – in terms of both quality and ageing potential.

Wine Score Packing Per Case Per Bottle Availability
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2004 95 12 x 75cl $ 9,828 $ 819 In HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2005 95 12 x 75cl £ 917 $ 734 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2006 94+ 12 x 75cl $ 8,518 $ 710 In HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2007 93 12 x 75cl £ 819 $ 655 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2009 95+ 6 x 75cl £ 426 $ 681 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2010 94+ 12 x 75cl £ 868 $ 694 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2011 93 6 x 75cl £ 408 $ 653 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2012 91+ 6 x 75cl £ 357 $ 572 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2013 (Mag) 94 6 x 150cl $ 8,190 $ 1,365 In HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2014 95 12 x 75cl £ 820 $ 656 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2015 95 12 x 75cl £ 820 $ 656 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2016 92+ 12 x 75cl £ 874 $ 699 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2017 94 12 x 75cl £ 868 $ 694 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2018 95 6 x 75cl £ 399 $ 638 6 – 8 weeks to HK
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2019 96 12 x 75cl £ 830 $ 664 6 – 8 weeks to HK