2016 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge

The 2016 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge from Pessac‑Léognan is a deeply elegant and classically structured Bordeaux, combining both power and restraint in a way that reflects the steady hand of the Bernard family at the helm. According to the estate’s technical sheet, the blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, with smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 

On the nose, the wine opens with a refined freshness: concentrated red and black fruit—think blackberries and dark plums—set in a balsamic backdrop with hints of pine forest and peppery spice. There’s also an undercurrent of mineral complexity and a touch of gamey, forest-floor nuance.  The palate delivers a generous yet silkily textured attack, followed by a dense but refined tannic structure.  Flavors of dark cherry and cassis are complemented by tobacco, damp earth, wood smoke, and a marked mineral streak.  Despite its richness, the wine maintains energy through a thread of tension and freshness, finishing with both sweetness and firmness. 

In terms of critical reception:

• Jeb Dunnuck gave it 97 points, calling it “full‑bodied, deep, concentrated yet incredibly elegant and seamless,” predicting 3–4 decades of ageability.  
• James Suckling also awarded 97, praising its sleek, powerful dark fruit, plush but firm tannins, and great aging potential.  
• Neal Martin (Vinous) rated it 95, noting beautifully defined black fruit, pine‑needle lift, fine-grained acidity, and “captivating mineralité” on the finish.  
• Decanter (Jane Anson) gave it 96, describing it as rich and round, with ripe damson and black cherry, slate and wet-stone minerality, and a long, balanced structure.  
• Falstaff awarded 94 points, highlighting its dark forest berry character, black cherry, subtle nougat, and a firm but accessible frame.  

Overall, the 2016 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge is a wine that combines gravitas with elegance. It already shows a supple, polished texture, but its tight structure and mineral core suggest that it will reward cellaring—best enjoyed through the mid-2020s into the 2040s.

Local pickup only - Dayton, OH