L'Esprit de Chevalier 2013

Tasting Notes and Serving Recommendations for L'Esprit de Chevalier 2013

Tasting

Appearance
The colour reveals a beautiful clarity with a pale yellow hue adorned with greenish highlights, which tend towards golden nuances over time.

Nose
Particularly aromatic, the bouquet opens with a lovely citrus vivacity reminiscent of grapefruit zest, blended with white and tropical fruit aromas. Subtle floral and honeyed notes intertwine with a delicate hint of oak.

Palate
The attack is lively and fresh, evolving towards a fuller, slightly fleshy texture. The palate unfolds with delicious notes of citrus and white-fleshed fruit, extending into a dry, savoury finish subtly marked by aromas of hazelnut and toasted almond.

Food and Wine Pairing

This great white wine pairs wonderfully with cod enhanced by a citrus sauce. It also beautifully accompanies poultry dishes, seafood, crisp salads, and smoked fish.

Serving and Ageing

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve L'Esprit de Chevalier 2013 at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. This wine is best enjoyed until around 2018.

The Aromatic Richness and Tension of a Great Pessac-Léognan White Wine

The Estate

Acquired in 1736 by Monsieur Destang, who structured the vineyard, Domaine de Chevalier is an essential reference in the Bordeaux region of France. Now run by Olivier Bernard and his family since 1983, this hundred-hectare estate stands out for its unique location within a forest clearing. A Grand Cru Classé de Graves, the estate is renowned for its pioneering environmental approach and precision viticulture. L'Esprit de Chevalier is its worthy second wine, offering a faithful expression of this terroir.

The Vineyard

Located within the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the vineyard covers approximately 70 hectares, of which 7 are dedicated to white grape varieties. The vines benefit from a complex terroir composed of gravel and black sand resting on a clay-gravel subsoil. Surrounded by forest, the site enjoys a protective microclimate. Vine management is characterised by a high planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare and environmentally responsible practices, including the use of plant infusions and cover crops.

The Vintage

The year 2013 was marked by particularly challenging weather conditions in the Bordeaux region. The growing cycle had to contend with cool, damp conditions, presenting numerous challenges in achieving optimal berry ripeness.

Winemaking and Ageing

Crafted with the same care as the grand vin, L'Esprit de Chevalier 2013 undergoes slow pressing. Fermentation takes place in barrels or suitable vats. The wine is then aged in oak barrels, with a moderate proportion of new wood to preserve the brightness of the fruit, along with regular lees stirring to enrich its texture.

Grape Varieties

This blend is composed of Sauvignon Blanc (50%) and Sémillon (50%).