65% cabernet sauvignon 30% merlot and 5% petit verdot. Malolactic and aging take place in a mix of 40% new 30% once used and 30% twice used barrels. This 40-hectare section of vineyard is planted with a density of 10000 vines/ha and an average vine age of 35 years. The vineyards are organically farmed. Hand-harvested between September 8th and 24th and hand sorted three times yields were 34 hl/ha. Deep dark ruby color the nose features aromas of cassis and blackberry along with a note of clay. Soft and dense on entry with a chewy mouthfeel this has very deep flavors that take some coaxing to emerge at this young stage but the concentration is admirable. This shows great complexity with aromas and flavors of cassis and blackberry a hint of tar and very concentrated layered wood smoke. Soft and supple. Stephane Derenoncourt consults on the Chevalier rouge. Tasted three times. Enjoy 2016-2026.

A spectacular effort, especially for this challenging vintage, Olivier Bernard’s 2011 Domaine de Chevalier boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of subtle charcoal, graphite, black currants and black cherries. Rich and full-bodied with a multilayered mouthfeel and a long, complex, stunning finish, this is a profound example of a 2011 from a great terroir. Consume it over the next 20 years. - Robert Parker

The colour takes a big step up in terms of intensity, nose is a little closed off right now, and there is some wonderful texture to the fruit as you find across so many Domaine de Chevalier vintages, with a great balance of finessed, well presented fruit and tannins that are just so softly extracted. Not the most exuberant fruit but very good quality, great caress across the palate and plenty of life ahead of it. Read more at http://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/domaine-de-chevalier-pessac-leognan-cru-classe-de-graves-21374#e1EWquUQp4XSibqc.99

The 2011 is a blend of two-thirds Cabernet and one-third Merlot but Olivier Bernard then mentioned that is includes 6% Petit Verdot. The nose is closed at first but it demonstrates fine precision with blackcurrant boysenberry limestone and graphite aromas again almost Pauillac like in profile. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins on the entry crisp acidity: a Domaine de Chevalier struck through with a citric like freshness. A little abrupt and "spiky" on the finish perhaps but this is a fine masculine classic Domaine de Chevalier for mid-term drinking. Tasted April 2012.

This is solidly built, featuring a full-bodied feel from the loam and tar frame, balanced by the depth of the plum, blackberry and fig core. Reveals a smoldering edge through the finish, with an echo of cocoa. Best from 2016 through 2028. – JM