Shiny dark garnet color, black in the middle. Pure, typical and fresh nose of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon in gravelly soil where wild fruits, plants and spices mingle: blackcurrant, blackberry, blueberry, sour cherry, peppermint, cedar, heather On the palate: great unctuous and fresh structure, dense with silky, fine and elegant tannins. The Merlot brings a delicate and fruity flesh. The Cabernet Franc ensures refinement and elegance and the Petit Verdot releases its fruity and spicy energy. A classy finish where the flavors of graphite and licorice appear. The 80% of Cabernet Sauvignon are in balance in this blend and ensure a great wine for laying down, full of freshness.
96 Points - Vinous
The 2021 Domaine de Chevalier was terrific both times I tasted it. Potent and driving, the 2021 dazzles with Cabernet Sauvignon intensity in its aromas, flavors and overall structure. Graphite, spice, menthol, spice, rose petals, mocha and flowers run through a core of red/purplish fruit. The Blanc gets most of the attention at Domaine de Chevalier, but these days I find the red more complete and more interesting. –Antonio Galloni Barrel Sample: 94-96
96 Points - Wine Enthusiast
This estate, owned by the Bernard family, has produced a ripe, elegant wine. It shows great black fruits and some solid tannins that will stand the wine in good stead as it ages. An impressive wine for the vintage.
94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Domaine de Chevalier reveals a deep, complex bouquet with aromas of blackberries and blueberries mingled with spices, cigar wrapper and coniferous forest floor, followed by a medium to full-bodied, sweet and concentrated palate animated by bright acids and framed by fine, powdery tannins. It's an impressive effort that will reward a bit of bottle age. It's a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Rating: 94+
94 Points - Decanter
Aromatic nose, perfumed black fruits, bramble tones and a touch of sweet spice. Round and mouthfilling, this has good density and depth for the vintage, tannins are on the juicy plump side with a dry grippy texture though satisfying not austere with the fruit powering through giving cherry and blackcurrant flavours. This has good persistency and doesn't let up - it's not a showstopper at this point but I love the quality of the fruit and the tannins and the lifted acidity as well as the darker more savoury elements of liquorice, black chocolate, graphite and smoked cedar that come in towards the end. Lots going on here with good potential. You get the impression nothing is hiding and I love that. Really the grapes and the terroir on show. A good success and will be interesting to taste in bottle. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Barrel Sample: 94
93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Looking at the Grand Vin, the 2021 Domaine De Chevalier is based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, with harvest not wrapping up until October 15. It's a terrific wine in the vintage offering ripe currant and darker berry fruits as well as classy oak, graphite, and scorched earth nuances. This medium-bodied, concentrated, balanced 2021 has ripe tannins, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It actually reminds me slightly of the estate’s 2014, albeit in a slightly fresher package.
