Domaine de Chevalier — Domaine de Chevalier 2016

Domaine de Chevalier 2016, Grand Cru Classé de Graves (AOC Pessac-Léognan). A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot at 13.5% alcohol. Opened to pair with duck — a classic Bordeaux match, though the 2016 vintage gave me pause: was it still too young? I deliberately avoided the Médoc and went to Graves, hoping for a more approachable window, and was a bit nervous when deciding to pull the cork. To be honest, yes, the youth is still quite apparent on the palate. More complexity will develop there over time. But it is not closed anymore. And on the nose it is just perfect — absolutely captivating. What a wonderful wine, earning 96+ points from me, though others at the table were more generous and insisted on 98.