2022 - L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc, Pessac-Leognan

The 2022 L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc is a wine that showed well from barrel. Now in bottle, it has evolved nicely on the nose with citrus peel and dried white flower scents that become a little oilier as it opens in the glass. This has fine delineation. The palate is well balanced with a keen line of acidity. This is citrus-fresh with a sense of nascent energy. It's maybe just missing a little complexity on the finish when compared to the Grand Vin Blanc.

The second wine of Domaine de Chevalier in white, from the domaine’s 7 hectares of white vines, this is a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Semillon, and the fermentation and élevage was in barrel, using about 25% new oak. An attractive and open nose here, with white flowers, sweet citrus, meringue and lemon peel. The palate shows a plump texture, with an easy-going breadth of fruit, just a little pithy in style, with a nice vein of acidity cutting through it all. A charming second wine which should drink well on release, and which will probably hold up for a few years. But don’t leave it too long. The alcohol on the label is 13%.