Note: from vines planted in 1962 Producer note: Michel Niellon suggested that 99 is a very good though not exceptional vintage for whites and believes, at this point anyway, that 2000 will be better still even though the potential alcohols were higher and the acidities were lower. Michel said that the yields were comparable between the two vintages. He also noted that the malos in 99 were very slow to finish but he was still able to bottle in August, as he normally does. The wines saw an average of 20 to 25% new oak and I tasted them in February. Note: fans of the Niellon Vergers will have to wait a few years as the diseased vines were ripped out just before the 1999 vintage though they should be back on line for the 2003 vintage. Tasting note: Wonderfully intense and a clear step up from the premiers crus with beautifully detailed fruit offering both citrus and minerality merging seamlessly into deep, concentrated flavors of remarkable complexity and a long, intense and compelling finish. There are those who argue that the Bâtard is Niellon's best wine but for my taste, in most vintages it is the Chevalier that impresses me the most. This is slightly riper than the typical Niellon Chevalier but a lovely wine just the same.

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