2018 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac-Léognan

The 2018 Domaine De Chevalier is a beauty. Based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in 35% new French oak, it has a beautiful sense of elegance and purity, which is very much in the style of the vintage as well as the domaine. Blackcurrants, black cherries, cold fireplace, damp earth, tobacco, and chocolate are just some of the nuances here, and this complex, medium to full-bodied 2018 has gorgeous tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish. It has suppleness in its texture that allows it to offer pleasure even today, yet given its balance as well as purity, it deserves 5-7 years of bottle age and will keep for 30+ years. It is another brilliant wine from the team of Olivier Bernard.

There was a time during En Primeur that we had to beg, borrow, and steal to get our hands on some 2018 Domaine de Chevalier. It showed beautifully during the campaign, merited sky-high press, and remained all-too-reasonably priced (as is the case with most vintages of DDC). Now, years, later, nothing has really changed aside from having more great vintages on the market from the property that have diverted some attention away from this wonderful 2018. All the better for enthusiasts, as it remains one of the great high-upside values in collectible Bordeaux. To me, there is a textural breadth that defines a great vintage of DDC Rouge, and there's plenty of that in the 2018. Red to black fruits line the aromas, with a hint of gravel and a floral note. On the palate, that texture and concentration pairs beautifully with black cherries, currant, and a fine minerality. A long finish supports super-fine tannins, but there's enough brightness to keep it refreshing. I think this level of refinement in a more immediate vintage like 2018 is a wonderful combination, and certainly the team at Domaine de Chevalier nailed it with this one. I've had trouble keeping my hands off the bottles I've bought over the years, as it already drinks well with a decant, but it is surely one that will age effortlessly for decades.