95pts James Suckling

This is an extremely polished and refined young wine with gorgeous blackberry, blackcurrant, licorice, dark-chocolate and bark character. It’s full-bodied with ever so fine tannins and a long, long finish. Fantastic second wine of Domaine de Chevalier. Try after 2026.

93pts Wine Enthusiast

 The second wine of Domaine de Chevalier, this shows all the richness of the vintage, with weighty tannins and a generous future. Blackberry fruits and a core that promises plenty of potential as the dryness softens contribute to what will be a richly structured, complex wine. Drink from 2026. ROGER VOSS

91pts Jeb Dunnuck

Checking in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot brought up mostly in used barrels, the 2018 Domaine De Chevalier L'Esprit De Chevalier has a rich, dense, medium to full-bodied style with slightly reserved darker currant and cherry fruits, notes of cedary herbs and earth, firm tannin's, and a good finish. While most second wines are up-front and geared for early drinking, this is going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age. It should keep for over a decade. Rating: 91+

90pts Decanter 

A serious second wine with real grip and fresh fruit, richly extracted and with good quality, firm tannins. Austerity takes precedence over the fruit a little, but it's a good wine worth looking out for. Drinking Window 2022 - 2031. Barrel Sample: 90

Winemaker Notes

Vats that go into red Esprit de Chevalier must nevertheless be complex, well-balanced, well-structured and, above all, elegant enough to be in keeping with Chevalier’s image. Esprit de Chevalier is a charming red wine with many of the same qualities as the grand vin and the added advantage that can be enjoyed earlier.