Domaine de Chevalier

The unusually named Domaine de Chevalier, an estate that sounds more at home in Burgundy than Bordeaux, makes some of the most important red and white wines in Pessac-Léognan. The vineyards sit on gentle slopes within a forest clearing and are carefully managed using biodynamic farming methods. Each vintage, the grapes are meticulously hand-harvested, and the attention to detail is so exacting that they are individually sorted prior to leaving the vineyard. Those that are not deemed good enough remain on the ground. There are 45 hectares under vine, 40 hectares of which are devoted to the red varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The remaining 5 hectares grow predominantly Sauvignon Blanc for their white Bordeaux blend with the rest made up of Sémillon. The estate is owned by the Bernard family with consulting oenologist Stéphane Derenoncourt helping to continue the estate's excellent reputation. Domaine de Chevalier also owns Clos des Lunes, an estate in Sauternes responsible for a delicious, dry white Bordeaux. Olivier Bernard took over the property in 2011 and realised its terroir was exceptional - the vines lie next door to the iconic Château d’Yquem. Although already creating world-class dry whites at Domaine de Chevalier, Olivier’s aim to make dry white wine, in a region famed for its sweet wines, was initially met with some scepticism. However, Clos des Lunes has proved a roaring success. Olivier expertly blends organically-farmed Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, while a touch of oak in the finished blend adds complexity and ageing potential.