Grand Cru Classé St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend

Opaque red blue. Vegetal and floral aromas with muddled blueberry. Medium plus bodied, medium plus alcohol. Blueberry emerges more prominently on the palate. Unbelievably smooth, round and well integrated. So complete. Tannins are perfect here, just enough to cut the beef tallow and provide an enjoyable finish. I can only imagine this will get even better, but why wait. This is near the top of my historical scale.

94+ points

Bruised blue and opaque in appearance. Licorice, blackberry, faint oak on nose and palate. Full bodied, medium plus alcohol, dry as a bone. Medium plus acidity and gum drying tannins. This will round out and further develop with age. Excellent.

93+ points

Vintage 2014 | Lovely classic, eucalyptus, chocolate, very nice and with 10 y no need to hurry. Paired with a Côte de Boeuf.

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.

Blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, dark Ruby with aromas of black fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black plum with notes of tobacco and cacao. Firm tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit and spice. Needs time, a bit pricey.

Blend of 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 16 months in 60% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, herb spice and smoky cedar notes. On the palate flavors of fresh blackberry and plum with cacao, tobacco, licorice and herb cedar spice. Fine grainy tannins, well balanced on long finish, ending with fruit, cedar, smoke and earthy mineral character. Very nice, will age well but wait a few more years to really enjoy!

Vintage 2014 | dark colour, classy Bordeaux smell with red fruit, laurel and brushwood. I gave it a two hours decant, but still much power and tannins. Does not have the real depth of a great year, but is very decent and enjoyable. Perhaps a bit over extracted. Charming wine. Paired with a Cote de Boeuf and ratatouille, cheeses afterwards.

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.

A blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cab Franc & 2% Cab Sauv, aromas, aged for 16 months in 60% new oak, aromas of ripe fruit and enticing spice notes. On the palate generous fruit flavors, cherry and sweet plum with herb spice and earthy notes. Full body, rich tannins, lingering ending with oak and spice. Nice.

Black fruit, rust, hints of vanilla, wow, great wine!