Wednesday. 4 August. 2010. 9:36 am
A Graves Cru Classe producing Domaine.
Located in Leognan, capital of the Graves, the Domaine de Chevalier is located at the south of Bordeaux on the outskirts of Leognan. The estate dates back to 1763 and is now owned by the Bernard family in 1983, whose business includes French brandy and Millesima, a wine merchant selling Crus Classés from Bordeaux.
Domaine de Chevalier is managed by Olivier Bernard who lives on the property and spent time working alongside the previous owner Claude Ricard for the first five years. Olivier Bernard runs Domaine de Chevalier with winemaker Remy Edange and takes counsel from famed wine-maker consultant, Stephane Drenoncourt .
The Domaine de Chevalier is classified as a Graves Cru Classe and produces first class whites as well as reds. The Domaine de Chevalier white is considered one of the world’s best dry white wines.
Domaine de Chevalier comprises of 80 hectares of vineyard, of which 40 hectares are planted with vines. 70% of the white vines are planted with sauvignon and 30% are planted with semillon. 60% of the red vines are planted with cabernet sauvignon, 32% with merlot, 5% with petit verdot and 3% with cabernet franc.
The main specificity of Domaine de Chevalier is the meticulousness of picking and selection during harvest. Pickers sort out each imperfect berry to ensure only the best quality grapes are used. Olivier himself and Emile Peynaud supervise the harvest and even have a remuneration system to reward picking of quality grapes. After the pressing, the vinfication of dry wine takes place in oak barrels for 18 months.
Reds are fermented in stainless steel tanks for one month before they are racked and matured in French oak barrels for 18 months.
Domaine de Chevalier’s second wine in sold under the label “L’Esprit de Chevalier”.
Where?
Domaine de Chevalier, 102 Chemin Mignoy, 33850 Leognan, France.
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