The 2009 Domaine de Chevalier has a vivacious, almost exotic bouquet with lavish black fruit, mint, oregano and cedar that all gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, ripe black fruit laced with white pepper and even a faint touch of Szechuan pepper. This displays exquisite balance and the finish feels deep and satisfying, clearly born in a great vintage. Tasted blind at the Domaine de Chevalier vertical at the property. 94 points

The finest wine I have tasted from this estate in my 30+ - year career, the 2009 (64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot) from this hallowed vineyard in Leognan was cropped at 45 hectoliters per hectare and came in at 13% alcohol. It reveals an extraordinary, intense, pure, quintessential Domaine de Chevalier style, including silky tannin, dense plum, black currant, black cherry, floral, and graphite notes, terrific acidity, sweet tannin, and a full-bodied mouthfeel with no weight, but admirable precision and freshness. Consultant Stephane Derenoncourt has coaxed out all the elegance and complexity at this great site. A future legend in the making, this could be the best Domaine de Chevalier produced over the last half century. It should drink well for 35-40 years. Tasted four times. 94-96* points

Showing an intense, dark red colo, this wine delivers a typical nose from Domaine de Chevalier! A pure, fine, fruity and very ripe nose- some plum as well as wet leather characteristics that evoke so much the wines from the Graves region. Performing lovely on entry, the wine behaves pulpy, and then develops aromatic and fat over a fine grained texture. It slowly evolves towards a long, tasty and flavorful finish while melting with a lot of precision in its delivery, and a rather unprecedented creamy character. It is very good indeed. 91 points