Domaine de Chevalier 1999

This is a classic, finesse-styled Graves. The 1999 Domaine de Chevalier reveals scorched earth, tobacco, and red currant aromas along with rich, elegant, savory flavors, sweet tannin, and better integrated oak than previous vintages have exhibited. Enjoy this medium-bodied effort during its first 10–12 years of life.

A pleasant red, with tobacco and cherry character. Medium body. Light finish. Best after 2002. 7,250 cases made.

Ripe, heady fruit, blackcurrant, plum and damson. Nicely expressive and forward on the nose with fragrance and florality too. Bright and lively, this has a sharp initial burst of flavour – soft caramelised raspberries, sweet spices, ripe, almost fleshy tannins, but also a minerality that keeps it light and focused. Charming and lifted – I love the interplay between acidity, tannins and fruit. There’s clarity but also a punch here, forward motion, flesh, tang and iodine. A lovely wine with plenty of give still – power, but not in an overt way. Feels controlled, well presented and still with lots of life left. Delicious. Leaves a lingering impression and has such a long finish.

Magnum. Mid ruby with lots of evolution. That biscuity smell of developed Dom de Chev already. Very sleek, rewarding and well balanced despite the low alcohol, though there are pretty sandy tannins in here. Delicate. I think I would enjoy this wine while the fruit is still fresh rather than wait for much more development, but then Domaine de Chevalier does have the knack of prolonged longevity. (JR)

Medium red. More evolved aromas of redcurrant, leather, game, earth and smoke. Leanish and a bit dry in the middle, with modest sweetness and a slightly green character. Doesn't really expand in the mouth. Today the tannins come across as a bit dry.

Medium-bodied, refined, fresh, energetic-styled Bordeaux, blending tobacco, wet earth, cigar box, herbs, and sweet, pure cherries. Elegant on the palate, with a freshness that comes through on the palate and in the spicy plum and earthy cherry finish. This is in the right place today for maximum pleasure.

Medium, slightly dull garnet. Open bouquet, gently compote-like nose, strawberries, notes of sapwood and barrique toast. Juicy, elegant palate, ripe tannins, medium body, still showing reserves in extract, lovely length.

00: Barrel sample (18/20): delicate, broad-sweeping bouquet, wild raspberries, red elderberry, mulberries; the fruit shows sweet and beautifully integrated on the nose, almost as if underpinned with butter. Burgundian, harmonious palate, melting, free-flowing extract, silky, a discreet, wonderful sweetness in the tannins, elegance and harmony in perfection. One of the greatest wines from this estate, which has often been somewhat disappointing lately. 02: The wine has so much radiance that even in its youth swallowing doesn’t hurt at all. Certainly one of the very best values among the well-known names. 04: Medium garnet, delicately lightening. Refreshing, red-berried bouquet, complex, slightly creamy texture, delicate and playful on the nose. On the palate fine and powerful at the same time, light tobacco, café au lait and again a very fruity, finely structured cherry play, gently compote-like on the finish, convincing with its fine class and harmony. (18/20). 07: Medium, slightly matte garnet. Open bouquet, gently compote-like nose, strawberries, trunk wood and barrique toast notes. Juicy, elegant palate, ripe tannins, medium-bodied, still showing reserves in the extract, nice length. Since I compared it with many other ’99s (unfortunately better), I have to take it down a point for now. (17/20). 19: Double magnum. Still quite intense ruby-garnet. Relatively light for the vintage. In the restrained nose cherries, cherry tones, fine floral notes; seems a bit slender, but surprisingly intense. On the palate it starts out bumpy due to its slightly insistent acidity and remaining tannins. On the other hand, at this stage it is an excellent food companion. It has developed (too) slowly and should actually be riper. (17/20).

Spicy, elegant, fresh bouquet, mocha, blue berries, cedar, tobacco. Balanced, elegant, dense palate with a silky texture, spicy aromatics, austere finish. 18/20 drink - 2026

Medium garnet red with pale edges. Delicate, filigree bouquet with notes of red berries and spices. On the palate, the wine has medium intensity. The tannins are granular, while the structure maintains freshness on the palate. Fruity finish.

Bordeaux-red color. Medium to good intensity. Medium-intensity nose, discreet, toasty. I was hoping for more fruit on swirling. The fruit leads on the attack and the wine unfolds gently with a juicy flavor, medium body, and a pleasant tactile presence. It has the advantage of finishing with supple, non-harsh tannins and aromatic lift. A pleasant wine that will go down with pleasure even in its youth.