1994 Domaine de Chevalier

A disturbing pattern appears to be emerging with recent offerings from this chateau. After bottling, the wines are fruitless, ferociously tannic, and completely out of balance. Even the white Domaine de Chevalier seems to be missing the great intensity of flavor and ripeness that one expects from this renowned estate in Pessac-Leognan. A medium to dark ruby color is deceptive in view of the charmless, hollow, aggressively tannic wine that has emerged since bottling. The sweet, ripe fruit present in cask has turned into a charmless wine of dubious balance. I cannot see it ever turning itself around. It reminds me of the 1975. Given the number of marvelous Domaine de Chevaliers I have tasted as well as purchased over the years, I hope my tasting notes for the 1993-95 prove to be terribly inaccurate.

Delicate and alluring, showing lovely aromas of berries, toasted oak and minerals. Light, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now. 12,000 cases made. Wine Spectator, 31 Jan 1997.

A disturbing pattern appears to be emerging with recent offerings from this chateau. After bottling, the wines are fruitless, ferociously tannic, and completely out of balance. Even the white Domaine de Chevalier seems to be missing the great intensity of flavor and ripeness that one expects from this renowned estate in Pessac-Leognan. A medium to dark ruby color is deceptive in view of the charmless, hollow, aggressively tannic wine that has emerged since bottling. The sweet, ripe fruit present in cask has turned into a charmless wine of dubious balance. I cannot see it ever turning itself around. It reminds me of the 1975. Given the number of marvelous Domaine de Chevaliers I have tasted as well as purchased over the years, I hope my tasting notes for the 1993-95 prove to be terribly inaccurate. Wine Advocate.February, 1997