L'ESPRIT DE CHEVALIER Blanc 2nd wine of Dom. de Chevalier - Graves/Pessac-Leognan 2023 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc 2023 opens with youthful clarity: white peach, green apple, pear, citrus blossom and honeysuckle, set against wet stone and a flinty mineral thread. With air, grapefruit, lemon peel and jasmine emerge, while subtle spicy toast from judicious oak adds breadth. Medium-bodied, it has a silky start, vibrant acidity and a seamless texture carrying orchard fruit, crushed herb and almond kernel. The mid-palate shows white peach compote, preserved lemon and a whisper of brioche; fine persistent acidity and a mineral seam drive a long, saline finish with citrus zest and a faint honeyed echo. Drink now or cellar 5–8 years. Top scores: James Suckling 94–95; Vinous 91–93; Decanter 91. Serve chilled at 10–12°C with shellfish or cheese.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Domaine de Chevalier L Esprit de Chevalier Blanc 2023 opens with youthful clarity and refined energy, a bright expression of Pessac Léognan terroir in a warm vintage. The bouquet shows white peach, green apple and pear, lifted by citrus blossom and honeysuckle, while wet stone and a subtle flinty note give mineral focus. With gentle aeration, grapefruit, lemon peel and a hint of jasmine unfurl, underscored by delicate spicy toast from judicious oak.

On the palate the wine is medium bodied, with a satin entry, vibrant acidity and a seamless texture that carries flavour with poise. Primary fruit is crisp and pure, orchard fruits and citrus threaded with a savoury note of crushed herb and almond kernel. The mid palate fills with concentrated yet delineated flavours, white peach compote, preserved lemon and a whisper of brioche that adds breadth without weight. Fine, persistent acidity drives the wine, while an underlying mineral seam delivers tension and lift through the finish.

Oak is subtle and well integrated, providing structure and depth rather than an overt imprint. The finish is long, saline and slightly chalky, closing on citrus zest and a faint honeyed echo.

Drink now for its vibrancy, or cellar for 5 to 8 years to develop secondary complexity. Serve at 10 to 12°C with seared scallops, lobster, goat cheese tart or delicate poultry dishes. L Esprit de Chevalier Blanc 2023 is poised, precise and engaging, offering immediate charm and graceful evolution.

JAMES SUCKLING 94-95 points
I like the texture here. It’s polished and seamless with vivid acidity and a gentle phenolic edge to it. Medium-bodied with fresh, fleshy fruit. Spice and citrus peel bitterness at the end. It’s vibrant and very attractive already. Flinty. 65% sauvignon blanc and 35% semillon. - James Suckling

VINOUS 91-93 points
Drinking window: 2027 - 2042
The 2023 L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc offers crisp sea-spray scents on the nose, complemented by Granny Smiths and light kiwi notes. The palate is very well balanced with a keen line of acidity. Notably saline on the entry, it possesses impressive depth, turning quite spicy with touches of white pepper on the persistent finish. This is one of those Deuxième Vins where you think: "Cor blimey…what's the Grand Vin like?" - Neal Martin. Tasting date: April 2024

DECANTER 91 points
Tasted by: Panos Kakaviatos (at Bordeaux, 18 Apr 2024)
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2033
An excellent second wine, certainly lighter that the grand vin, but with plenty of lemon zest but also hints of tropical notes like mango and kumquat. Plenty of freshness and verve on the palate, with a length that surpasses some quality first white wines from Bordeaux.

THE WINE ADVOCATE (90-92) points
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
Drink Date: 2025 - 2040
The 2023 L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc, a blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Sémillon, exhibits aromas of lime tree leaves, confit citron, lemon and white flowers intertwined with an exotic touch, followed by a medium to full-bodied, textural and layered palate with fine-grained texture, bright acids and a concentrated, rich mid-palate that segues into a long, mineral and saline finish framed by gastronomic bitterness.

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ABOUT DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER