le Chevalier Côtes de Bourg 2015 – Château Falfas

The estate is owned by Veronique Cochran, who had purchased the vineyard together with her husband, the American James Cochran, who died in 2012. Veronique is the daughter of one of France's leading consultants for biodynamics, François Bouchet. It was him who recommended the two to purchase the château in Bayon. The 16th century estate, which was largely abandoned at that time but which is actually pretty as a picture, has been one of the best wine estates in Bourg for long - and it is again today. The estate covers 20 hectares, half of which is on a terrace of clay and limestone. The planting density is 7,000 vines, the harvest no more than 40 hectoliters/hectare. After a short, cool pre-fermentation, the grapes ferment with natural vineyard yeasts. Aging takes place in new and used barrels. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, followed by Cabernet Franc and a little Merlot.

Dark, slightly transparent cherry red

The character traits of elegance and depth come to mind when 2015 Le Chevalier is the first thing that comes to mind. So fine and sensual is the wine with a perfume of best wood, cedar, pickled cherries as well as red as well as dark berries, where especially black currants and elderberries stand out. With this still young Le Chevalier but it is above all this impressively skilful use of wood that inspires here.

On the palate, the Bordeaux from the Côtes de Bourg is powerful and dark. Again, the concise but excellently integrated note from the barrique is evident, as well as a quite present but ripe tannin, which provides a texture like polishing paper on the palate. The dark chocolate note also contributes to this, combining with cool dark fruit on the palate and receiving more and more accompaniment from an underlying, lively minerality on the finish. This is again a very strong vintage full of balance, finesse and refinement that is currently grateful when decanted.