2022 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

Light nose but a very convincingly mineral palate. Some real delicacy. How did they manage that? Sleek and smoky. A wine for white-burgundy lovers … Very juicy. I suspect this will go through many stages.

Drink 2025-2040

The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc was picked from 22 August to 1 September. It has an instantly satisfying bouquet as it "launches" scents of passion fruit, lemon rind and patisserie scents, very well-defined and focused. The palate is intense on the entry and impressive in weight and density. Perhaps there's not quite the tension of the previous vintage, but it is long and thickly textured on the finish. Excellent.

Drink 2028-2048

Round, full, compelling, charming and confident, this has a width and density that is really well worked, calm, not super vibrant but really rich in terms of fruit expression with coolness, white stone fruit flavours and some subtle toasting.

Feels structured and well worked, serious but not as tense as many with more fruit persistence and depth than a lot of the whites this year. Perhaps missing a touch of acidity but this is very good indeed and ends with a zestiness that is really appealing. Tasted twice. Derenoncourt consultants.

Drink 2023-2030

The 2022 Domaine De Chevalier Blanc brings more dimensions and layers, as well as richness. Based on 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon, aging in 40% new oak, it has a beautiful perfume of honeyed citrus, subtle tropical flowers, and chalky, minerality nuances.

This carries to a medium to full-bodied white with plenty of density and depth, nicely integrated acidity, and a gorgeous finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see this end up in the top handful of whites in the vintage.

The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is stunning. It exudes textural depth, intensity and pedigree from the very first taste. I imagine it will still be stellar in another few years’ time. For now, it is a wine to think about cellaring. Time brings out dried lemon peel, sage, mint, chamomile, salt and crushed rock scents that lend both vibrancy and complexity. In most vintages, the Blanc is either incredibly steely or ample in feel. In 2022, it is both. Tasted four times.

Drink 2027-2047

A deep and layered white with rich and intense structure. It’s full yet agile with so much energy and intensity. Cooked apple, lime zest and nougat with oyster and sea bed undertones. Fascinating already.