2017 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan

The 2017 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc was picked from 31 August until 15 September via several tries through the vineyard that yielded 46hl/ha, with 13.5° alcohol. It has a very attractive, estuarine influenced bouquet with scents of cockle and oyster shell infusing the vivacious citrus fruit. This opens up very nicely with aeration in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. It feels quite saline and spicy in the mouth with a rather intense citric finish that is very persistent, the aftertaste again, quite saline.

The 2017 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is fabulous, but it is also going to need a number of years to be at its very best. Powerful and dense in the glass, the 2017 offers terrific brightness and cut, all backed up with serious structure. Smoke, melon, orchard fruit and mint are some of the many notes that develop as this gorgeous wine shows off its personality. Quite simply, the 2017 has class to burn, but readers will have to be patient. Tasted three times.

Subtle but complex aroma. There's mealy oak spice entwined with grapefruit and pear, fragrant in a restrained and serious style. Less subtle on the palate in drive and length. Firm texture and still super-fresh. Balance and persistence with a promising future. Cedary/spicy aftertaste. Will probably age a good deal longer if you are willing to be patient.

This is a dense and beautiful DC with serious density and a fabulous layering of fruit. Phenolics are there but they melt into the wine already. Love the acid/fruit balance. A solid and serious white.