Domaine de Chevalier 1978, Graves [Pessac-Leognan] - Tasted on 22/Apr/06

Tasting Date: 22nd Apr, 2006.

Venue: Alan's place

Name of Wine: Domaine de Chevalier Grand Cru Classe - Magnum

Vintage: 1978

Region: Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux

Country: France

The wine is clear, with a medium ruby colour. It has a brick-red rim & a few long legs. A clean nose. Medium-intensity, slightly aged bouquet, with red fruit like raspberries & red cherries, some dried plums & a hint of leather. On palate it's dry, medium-acidic, medium-bodied with a light-medium intensity. Medium level of soft tannins present. Still energetic, with again red fruit, cinnamon, mainly dried fig & some oak . Medium level of alcohol, & a medium length. Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot. Oak fermentation & aged. Still youthful as a 28 yr old, there should be another 3/4 yrs to achieve peak. A good quality wine.

Remarks:

About Domaine de Chevalier... ~ "The long-lived, Sauvignon Blanc-based white wine is the star of this property, but quantities are extremely limited. The red, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, has improved in recent years and is now a classic Graves wine, complex & minerally with balance and great length. Domaine de Chevalier has been immaculately run by Olivier Bernard since 1983. New winemaking facilities have been built, the vineyard revamped, and four large wind machines introduced to counter the spring frosts." ~ by Eyewitness Companions - Wines of the World 2004