Nose
Punchy, pulpy, intense, fresh and complex nose. The aromas of grapefruit, orange, peach and mango blend with balsamic (pine) and mineral (quartz, flint) fragrances. The whole terroir of Chevalier is revealed in this great nose.
Palate
On the palate, an exquisite and intense pulpy richness is combined with a beautiful fruity acidity. A cocktail of spicy and soft white fruits releases very silky flavors. This feeling of sweet- ness reflects the perfect maturity of healthy fruits. The flesh of this wine leads to a great purity and an tremendous delicacy. Very elegant body. Sophisticated wine, deeply tasty and per- fectly balanced. Great persistence.
Growing Conditions
Soil : gravel on clay-gravel subsoil
The unquestionably successful 2016 vintage is due to the conjunction of several important
factors.
- A rainy period lasting from the 1st of January to the 20th of June replenished water reserves and paved the way for a large potential crop.
- Quasi-miraculous flowering guaranteed a large crop [from the 4th to the 11th of June]
- An exceptionally dry period from the 1st of July to the 13th of September was conducive to richness and power.
We were really in need of rain by early September! This finally arrived, on the 13th of that month. These 40 mm of rain did a world of good, giving a boost to ripening and refreshing the vines.
- An Indian summer from the 15th of September to the end of October provided finesse and elegance.
Harvest
SAUVIGNON : SEPT. 10 TO 25
SEMILLON: SEPT. 15 TO 30
Hand-picked, into small crates. Grapes are carefully sorted in the vineyard as well as before and after destemming.
Bottling
July 2018/70 % SAUVIGNON – 30 % SÉMILLON
Winemaking
Three vat-rooms, (stainless steel, tulip
concrete and wooden vats), to optimize the plot selection, perfect the extraction and refining the “assemblage”.
Aging
Barrel aging 16 to 20 months (35% new oak), bâtonnage 4 months (stirring the lees with a stick).
Appearance
Crystalline, pale gold color.
