Red Wine Domaine de Chevalier Pessac Leognan Grand Cru Classe 2017. Decant 1 hour before serving. This remarkable domaine is often called the secret garden in Graves” thanks to its charming location in a clearing in the middle of a forest in this famous Bordeaux sub-region. In 1983 the property was purchased by the Bernard family with the 23-year old Olivier Bernard taking on the management of the estate. Over the last few decades Olivier has dedicated his life to Domaine de Chevalier with remarkable success, almost doubling the vineyard holdings and completely renovating the winemaking facilities. The domaine’s Grand Vin is predominantly crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon along with a smaller proportion of Merlot and a dash of Cabernet Franc. The fruit is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats before being transferred into barrels for 18 months of maturation. One unique feature of the winemaking process is that the barrels are kept in a special cold room where the barrel temperature can be maintained at 18-20 degrees Celsius. The only other Bordeaux estate to have this feature is Chateau Margaux. This is a powerful and magnificent Pessac-Leognan wine which can be cellared for at least another 15 years thanks to its well-built structure, bold flavours, and punchy tannins. On the nose there are ample notes of cassis, blackberry and sour cherry along with dried herbs, leather and hints of cigar box spice.
2017
Red Wine Domaine de Chevalier Pessac Leognan Grand Cru Classe 2017
Red Wine Domaine Eden Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. Decanting time: A few hours, if possible. A bright, vibrant crimson in colour. This wine hold a very open nose with sweet red berries and floral aromas that expand seamlessly into rich, melded notes of plum, herb de provence, blackcurrant and tobacco notes on the palate. This is an astute, yet accessible wine with exceptionally fruity flavours that are well-integrated and into a harmonious, elegant delivery that is not overly tannic yet remains distinctly plush. This wine carries a unique Bordeaux-esque character to it, with its fruity flavours that are underscored by a wet-stone and shaved pencil led undertones. It is a very well-balanced wine, if a little eager, but this will soften with age..The finish is fresh, pure and balanced and despite its complexity, this wine is not overly heavy or dense. A very tasty offering that is sure to please most, if not all, palates. Its array of blended varietals, with only three quarters of the wine being Cabernet Sauvignon, are a clear reflection of the year’s cultivation from select Saratoga and Los Gatos vineyards, and this interwoven beauty is as a result of 22 months of aging in French and American oak barriques. This offering has an almost indescribable, exquisite benefit of being decidedly light-hearted while maintaining an astute intentionality that provides an inviting, sophisticated air to its enjoyment. Very rich and succulent with a generosity that is particularly remarkable considering its youth. Serve this medium-bodied offering with a hearty harvest meal, wild mushrooms or a bowl of chestnut soup. Exceptional value that will hold nicely for a number of years, while delivering great sophistication and generosity even now.
2017
Red Wine Domaine Eden Pinot Noir 2017. No need to decant it, but best to open it half an hour before serving. Domaine Eden was bought by Mount Eden Vineyards in 2007. Initially planted with clonal selections of Mount Eden Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, this mountaintop estate now also includes clonal selections of Pinot Noir from Dijon and California. Here viticulture is approached with the same rigorous sustainability standards of Mount Eden and with low yields. Despite being close to Mount Eden, the soil at Domaine Eden is different from the estate’s Franciscan schist. The resulting wines express a good load of varietal fruit with ample flavors and less minerality. Pinot Noir grapes are grown on a north-facing slope at 480 meters and harvested between the end of August and mid-September. Fermentation is spontaneous with indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged in French oak for 12 months and later bottled without clarification or filtration. Domaine Eden Pinot Noir is a powerful wine with intense red color. The nose smells of sandalwood, damp earth, violets, and red raspberries. On the palate, it brings layers of red fruits with bright acidity and delicate tannins. The overall complexity and generosity are alluring. This wine has the aging potential typical of Pinot Noir. It’s the perfect companion for any mushroom preparations or pork.
2017