Domaine de Chevalier 2012

This sports lovely, enticing plum sauce, melted black licorice, blackberry pâte de fruit and cherry compote notes, along with fruitcake and graphite accents that fill in the background. The solid structure is fully absorbed into the fruit, and this should cellar well. A solid effort for the vintage. Best from 2017 through 2025. 8,333 cases made.

Fragrant, dark chocolate, like a box of chocolate fruits, dried herbs and some green peppercorns, something cool and cola-esque about the nose too. Dark and sultry, the opposite of the more fun and lively 2011, this is more deep and dark, knitted down, not heavy but textured with fine and lean tannins—more focused, less wide, less charming but still nice detail and refinement. Not as enjoyable perhaps right now but with promise. Just loses the energy and harmony a bit—light with acidity more to the fore.

Plenty of sliced apple and lemon character to this fresh wine. Full body, layered fruit and a tangy, almond and fruit aftertaste. Intense finish of stones, chalk and salt. Oyster shell, too. Needs time to come together. Tingling finish. Better in 2018.

Really fresh and dry. Racy and appetising – almost like a healthy mouthwash! Very successful. Long and neat. A much fresher bottle than the Farr one. (JR)

In a vintage in which so many wines are open and forward, Domaine de Chevalier's 2012 Rouge is anything but. As readers know, these wines are capable of aging for decades. The 2012 will certainly need at least a few years in bottle to blossom. With time in the glass, scents of chalk, game, smoke, incense and red cherry jam begin to appear, followed by a hint of white pepper that adds aromatic lift. This is a gorgeous wine from Domaine de Chevalier and proprietor Olivier Bernard, but readers should not be in a hurry. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Stéphane Derenoncourt is the consultant.

Medium-bodied, elegant and fresh, with silky tannins, layers of black cherry and currants accented by cigar box, thyme and tobacco leaf, the fruit shows a nice polish with refined textures and a supple, fruit-filled finish. This is drinking close to peak today. A brief splash decant before pouring was all it needed.

Classic dark fruit, tobacco, fine oak, vanilla and butterscotch, nice roundness and concentration, elegant fruit, tobacco, fine tannin and very good length.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with lilac hues on the rim. A dream bouquet, gently lactic with almost buttery contours, cherries, raspberries, showing a very fine touch of grenadine-like sweetness, hints of coconut. On the palate, silky texture, delicate tannins, everything in the realm of finesse. Perhaps, in the end, more a very fair expression of the vintage than a wine trying to stand out at all costs. Very much in the style of the Domaine. Still has room to develop.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with lilac glints at the rim. A dream bouquet, slightly lactic with almost buttery contours, cherries, raspberries, showing a very subtle touch of grenadine in terms of sweetness, coconut nuances. On the palate, silky texture, delicate tannins, everything is about finesse. Perhaps ultimately a very fair vintage expression rather than aiming to stand out at all costs. Truly in the style of the Domaine. Can still improve.

Silky, fruity, dense, floral bouquet, strawberries, raspberry yogurt, mocha, mint. Silky, elegant, fresh, fruity palate with fragrant fruit, sweet, fine, powerful aromatics, good tannins, long, fresh finish with sweet retro-olfactory notes. Can still improve. 17/20 2018 - 2030

This is enjoyable, heading towards tertiary flavours with melted tannins, and layers of cigar box, salted caramel, blackberry and blueberry fruits. It has grip through the core but is welcoming rather than overly concentrated at this point. Tasted from magnum. An estate that offers excellent consistency, and this is an easy 2012 to recommend.

The 2012 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge is medium to deep garnet-purple colored. Plum preserves, baked blackberries, and dried mulberries jump from the glass with hints of unsmoked cigars and smoked meats. The medium-bodied palate has a firm, grainy texture with lovely freshness and a good amount of maturing fruit, finishing on a stewed tea note.

A Chevalier of great elegance with fine tannins; it has real character, not very powerful but highly refined.

Ruby red with slight purple hues. Fresh, fruity nose with a floral touch. Notes of graphite and mocha. A refreshing attack, fruity and juicy. The structure is lively, racy, yet the tannins hold their own and match perfectly. A wine that needs time to reveal its fruit on the palate and blossom. Lovely power. One to watch.

Beautiful deep red. Fine, subtle nose with fresh, ripe fruit. Velvety on the palate from start to finish, developing with savory, attractive aromas. Persistent, pleasing finish with no angular tannins. Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.

This structured wine with big, bold red fruits offers ripe acidity, a dense texture and considerable concentration. It also has the hallmark freshness of the vintage that balances the strong aging potential. Drink from 2022.