Château La Dominique
Grand Cru Classé St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
Last tasted in June 2021. A rich ruby red. Initially a muted nose, not giving much. After time in decanter there was rich cassis, cigar box, plummy Merlot (unusually 100% here), and mint. On the palate that cassis coming through with sweetish savoury notes. More guts than I was expecting. Disagree with Julia Harding MW with her drinking window of 2017-2020. This should cruise for another 5 years.
Last tasted in June 2021. A rich ruby red. Initially a muted nose, not giving much. After time in decanter there was rich cassis, cigar box, plummy Merlot (unusually 100% here), and mint. On the palate that cassis coming through with sweetish savoury notes. More guts than I was expecting. Disagree with Julia Harding MW with her drinking window of 2017-2020. This should cruise for another 5 years.
Oct 8th, 2023Mid to dark Crimson. Initially not giving much on the nose after decanting. After some time and a lot of swirling in the glass, aromas of black currant and McBaren’s Plum Cake pipe tobacco which I used to smoke at college many decades ago. Unusually for La Dominque this is 100% Merlot with zero Cabernet Franc. Palate is still lively and fresh with a long future ahead. Supple and persistent. La Dominique is surrounded by high profile neighbours with the best parcels bordered by Cheval Blanc. Other neighbours include Figeac, Conseillante and L’Evangile. Will leave the next for 2 or 3 years.
Mid to dark Crimson. Initially not giving much on the nose after decanting. After some time and a lot of swirling in the glass, aromas of black currant and McBaren’s Plum Cake pipe tobacco which I used to smoke at college many decades ago. Unusually for La Dominque this is 100% Merlot with zero Cabernet Franc. Palate is still lively and fresh with a long future ahead. Supple and persistent. La Dominique is surrounded by high profile neighbours with the best parcels bordered by Cheval Blanc. Other neighbours include Figeac, Conseillante and L’Evangile. Will leave the next for 2 or 3 years.
Jun 17th, 2021Nearly 100% Merlot in this Right Bank Blend. Cassis and dusty plum. Unmistakably Bordeaux. Sweet palate but drying tannins to finish off.
Nearly 100% Merlot in this Right Bank Blend. Cassis and dusty plum. Unmistakably Bordeaux. Sweet palate but drying tannins to finish off.
May 7th, 2018
Nose: burnt toast, charred meat.
Taste: black plum, charred black cherries, tobacco.
86% merlot.
50% new barrels, 18 months.
Nose: burnt toast, charred meat.
Taste: black plum, charred black cherries, tobacco.
86% merlot.
50% new barrels, 18 months.
Cassis and Dust - Dusty dark fruit. Only medium weight- restrained, dare I say elegant. Correct to drink the first of the 6 I bought now / from the acclaimed 2009 vintage. Not as rich and full bodied as expected. A merlot dominant blend usually around 70%. This Vineyard sits next to Cheval Blanc. Post script - I found out that in 2009 the wine was 100% Merlot.
Cassis and Dust - Dusty dark fruit. Only medium weight- restrained, dare I say elegant. Correct to drink the first of the 6 I bought now / from the acclaimed 2009 vintage. Not as rich and full bodied as expected. A merlot dominant blend usually around 70%. This Vineyard sits next to Cheval Blanc. Post script - I found out that in 2009 the wine was 100% Merlot.
Sep 24th, 2017
Aging nicely, it showed well today, quite enjoyable on a hot summer day.
Aging nicely, it showed well today, quite enjoyable on a hot summer day.
Jul 28th, 2020
Flinty stone and graphite and cassis, but also some dry tartness, with cherries.
Flinty stone and graphite and cassis, but also some dry tartness, with cherries.
Dec 27th, 2018
This wine is finally opening up after 8 years. Will become even better within this and 3-4 years.
This wine is finally opening up after 8 years. Will become even better within this and 3-4 years.
Sep 17th, 2017