Domaine De Chevalier, Pessac Leognan Grand Gru Classe

Description

Domaine de Chevalier is a Bordeaux wine estate in the Pessac Leognan wine growing appellation. Pessac Leognan is an AC that was created in 1987 for the best parts of northern Graves. Domaine de Chevalier was classified as a Graves Grand Cru Classe in the Classification of Graves wine of 1953 and 1959.

The estate is located in Léognan, the Capital town of the Graves Region, and dates back to the 18th Century. Only three men have managed Domaine de Chevalier from time it was acquired by Arnaud and Jean Ricard in 1865 until it was purchased by the Bernard Family in 1983. The Bernard Family were wine and spirit merchants who wanted to respect and expand upon the estate’s reputation. The vineyard area was expanded, the vineyard layout was reconfigured and buildings were renewed or replaced. Today the estate comprises 45 hectares with 40 hectares under vine. The vineyards are planted with 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot for the red wines and 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon for the white wines.

After harvest the red grapes under a triple sorting. The grapes are first sorted in the vineyard to remove any clearly damaged grapes as well as any that have skins with paler highlights, a sign of insufficient ripeness. This sorting is done by the pickers. The grapes are then sorted again on a special sorting table at the winery. After destemming, yet another sorting is done, grape by grape. The grapes and wine are moved by gravity without pumping. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel and coated steel temperature controlled vats with a maceration for 2 to 3 weeks at 30-32 °C. Manual Pigeage. The wine is then aged for 18 months in barrels (35% new) and four months on the lees.