2018 Domaine de Chevalier Esprit de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan 750 ml

Domaine de Chevalier is one of the stars of Pessac-Léognan, the revered corner of Bordeaux’s Left Bank known for its hauntingly beautiful wines. Their grand vin is sought after by elite collectors world-wide—but their Esprit de Chevalier represents an opportunity for the savviest of buyers. 

This would be the top wine of most other Bordeaux estates. In the outstanding 2018 vintage, this stately, 95-point standout offers an incredible peek into one of the world’s great terroirs at half the price of Chevalier’s top wine.

Chevalier goes by “Domaine” instead of “Château” because they put the focus on their vineyard—one of the most special sites in all of Bordeaux. It features the same gravelly soils that made nearby Haut-Brion into one of the world’s most famous wineries. 

The Chevalier estate is unique: It’s surrounded by a forest, creating what owner Olivier Bernard calls a “secret garden” at the estate. Only about half of the Domaine de Chevalier is planted to grapes, and those trees provide excellent temperature moderation and a windbreak during the growing season—perfect for slow ripening. 

Chevalier is planted to a classic Pessac-Léognan assortment of grapes, with the Left Bank’s characteristic Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant player, composing just over 60% of the vineyard. Over time, more Merlot has been planted at the estate and now the grape, which provides supple fruit and characteristic cocoa aromas, composes roughly 30% of Esprit, with splashes of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that bring aromatics and color to the final wine.