The ‘23 L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc.

The entry-level white from one of Pessac-Leognan's most respected white wine estates - the 2023 L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc is in window in 2026, approaching peak freshness.

Tasting note

Pale gold with a vivid, slightly green-tinged rim in the glass, bright and inviting. The nose opens immediately with lime leaves, confit citron, and lemon zest - precise, citrus-forward aromatics that mark the 2023 vintage's freshness. White flowers, pear, and a gentle pineapple note emerge with air, while a lightly phenolic quality on the edge of the aromatics gives texture and presence. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and precise with vivid acidity that carries the fruit from attack through finish without aggression. The citrus and fresh fruit character dominates in the current drinking window, with mineral salinity emerging on the midpalate and providing a saline, textured backbone that distinguishes Pessac-Leognan white Bordeaux from simpler Sauvignon Blanc-based wines. The finish is clean, mineral, and moderately long, trailing through lime blossom and a whisper of chalk. This is a well-made, site-specific white Bordeaux at an accessible price point for the appellation.

The 2023 vintage

The 2023 growing season in Pessac-Leognan for white grapes was shaped by abundant spring rainfall creating mildew pressure, followed by a warm summer that allowed white varieties to ripen cleanly. The two heat waves in mid-August and early September - which provided critical aromatic development - arrived after the white harvest was largely complete or in its final stages, meaning white wines from 2023 benefited from the season's warmth without the full pressure of the late heat. Wine Spectator's assessment of the 2023 Left Bank at an Outstanding 90 points reflects both the challenges and successes of the vintage; for white Bordeaux made by attentive producers, 2023 yielded genuinely fresh and precise wines with a profile closer to 2019 than to the opulent 2022.

About Domaine de Chevalier

Domaine de Chevalier is a classified Pessac-Leognan estate with a white wine program that has long been considered among the finest in Bordeaux, regularly rivaling the great white Graves estates in blind tastings. The estate uses Sauvignon Blanc as the dominant variety in its whites, blended with Semillon, with barrel fermentation in a combination of new and used oak to build texture while preserving the variety's signature freshness. L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc is the second white wine of the estate, made from younger vines and specific vineyard selections, offering the property's house style of mineral precision and Sauvignon Blanc-led aromatic clarity at an accessible entry point. Winemaker Remi Edange oversees production that emphasizes freshness, minimal intervention, and a long, cool fermentation to preserve the citrus and floral aromatic compounds.

From the cellar: pair with

Grilled Turbot or Halibut with Lemon Caper Sauce

The wine's vivid acidity (7/10) and saline mineral finish mirror a lemon-forward sauce, and its medium body (6/10) matches the delicate texture of flat white fish without overpowering it.

Langoustine or Scallops with Herb Butter

The citrus and lime leaf aromatics create natural harmony with sweet shellfish, and the wine's bright acidity cuts through the butter richness without losing fruit expression.

Goat Cheese Tart with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Sauvignon Blanc's acidity and citrus character are a textbook match for fresh chevre, and the roasted tomato's sweetness contrasts cleanly with the wine's lightly phenolic freshness.

Service & cellaring

Serving Temp: 50-54F (10-12C)
Decanting: No decanting needed. Serve from a cool refrigerator at 50 to 54F. If the wine is very cold, let it sit ten minutes in the glass before drinking to allow the aromatics to open.
Cellar Storage: 45-50F (7-10C) for active storage; serve at 50-54F.

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Frequently Asked

When is the 2023 L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc ready to drink?

The canonical CAI full drinking arc is 2025-2036. Within that arc, the peak window is 2027-2032. The full arc is the broader period the wine may drink well; the peak window is when it is most likely to show its best balance. Storage, fill level, cork condition, and preference can shift the decision. Taste before adding more air or holding the rest.

What is the difference between L'Esprit de Chevalier and Domaine de Chevalier Blanc?

Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is the grand vin white wine of the estate - one of Pessac-Leognan's most celebrated whites, made from old vines and the best barrel selections, with aging potential of 15 to 20 years. L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc is the second white wine, made from younger vines and different lot selections, offering the house style at an accessible price with a shorter medium-term window of 7 to 11 years.

What food pairs best with this white Pessac-Leognan?

Grilled or pan-seared white fish with citrus or herb butter are the classic match. Halibut, turbot, sea bass with lemon caper sauce all align well with the wine's Sauvignon Blanc-led freshness and saline mineral finish. Shellfish - scallops, langoustines, oysters - also pair beautifully. For a cheese course, fresh goat cheese or chevre with herbs is the natural partner.

Can I cellar the 2023 L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc?

Yes, through 2032 and potentially to 2036. The wine is drinking well in 2026 but will develop additional textural complexity over the next two to four years as the Semillon component contributes more breadth and the oak integration deepens. This is not a wine for extended aging past 2036, but it rewards holding three to six years from the 2023 vintage for those who prefer more developed white Bordeaux character.