Domaine de Chevalier 2016 Pessac-Leognan 《ZTF510E》

Château Chevalier occupies over 100 hectares, 61 of which are dedicated to vineyards. Surrounded by pine forests and a winding river, the estate boasts an exceptional ecological environment, earning it the nickname "Graves' Secret Garden." The lush trees surrounding the estate also serve as a climate regulator, protecting the vines from extreme weather conditions. Currently, 55 hectares of the estate's vineyards are planted with red grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot; the remaining 6 hectares are planted with white grapes, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The soil is primarily sandy and gravelly, with an average vine age of 35 years and a planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare.

In Chevalier's winemaking philosophy, the mission of winemaking is to faithfully reflect the characteristics of the terroir. The winery respects the differences between vintages and adjusts vineyard and cellar management accordingly. The winery is equipped with small fermentation tanks, allowing for separate vinification of fruit from different plots. For red wines, pre-fermentation typically involves a 4-6-day cold maceration to enhance the fruit's aromas. During fermentation, the wines are manually capped to soften the extraction process. The Grand Vin is aged for 14-24 months in oak barrels, with a ratio of 40% to 60% new. For the white wines, the grapes are harvested and transferred to a bladder press, where they are gently pressed by plot. After fermentation, the wines are aged on their lees to enhance their fullness, richness, smoothness, and complexity.