1986 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 1x75cl

Robert Parker – 88?

Tasted at the château, the 1986 Domaine de Chevalier was noticeably deep in color when poured, with little signs to give away its age on the rim. It has a powerful bouquet that seemed very different from previous encounters – much less herbaceous and with more volatility. The palate offered blackberry and bilberry fruit with a subtle marine note, though the burly finish is obscured by a touch of volatile acidity. I suspect there are better bottles of this out there commensurate with the bottle I opened in 2012. Tasted July 2016. [28/09/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-0

JancisRobinson.com – 13.0

Quite a mature nose. A bit pinched and metallic on the nose. Is this the ill-fated 1984? Simple and weak. Quite severe. Not a harmonious whole but the sum of several rescue attempts. I somehow think another bottle of this would not be that different. [18/02/2006]

Vinous – 93

(65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 5% cabernet franc; 12.2% alcohol): Bright red with an amber rim. Notes of spicecake, forest floor and faded flowers complicate red cherry and minerals on the refined, complex nose. Sweet and suave on entry, then spicy and more austere in the middle, with harmonious acidity nicely framing the decadent red cherry, clove and spicy tobacco flavors. Finishes long and pure, with very good definition and sneaky concentration and length. This is drinking splendidly now and is not likely to gain much by further cellaring, but it certainly isn’t going to fall apart anytime soon. [Ian D’Agata, 04/01/2013]