Chateau La Dominique 2016

Originally called Durieu in the 17th century, the Glenne family acquired the property in the early 17th century. When the Micheau family acquired the property in 1690, they changed the name to Dominique. in the mid 19 century, the "La" was added to the name by Henri Greloud, who made his fortune on the Caribbean island of Dominica. (La Dominique in French). The Current story of Chateau la Dominique begins in 1969 when Clement Fayat acquires the property and begins to rebuild the property.

Chateau la Dominique lays on exceptional terroir in Saint Emilion. The vineyard borders with Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau Figeac on the Saint Emilion border. On the Pomerol side, the neighbors are Chateau l'Evangile and Chateau la Consiellante. The vineyard size is 29 hectares. It is planted with 81% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. They plan to increase the Cabernet Franc percentage to 20%. There is test parcel of 0.5 hectares of freshly planted Malbec.

Wine Spectator: 93
This has a piercing spearmint streak amid the core of plum and blackberry fruit, with racy acidity buried on the finish. Its vibrant and enticing, but needs to fill out a bit more on the back end.

Wine Advocate: 93
The 2016 La Dominique was tasted on several occasions. Deep in color, it has a blackberry and bilberry-scented bouquet, a touch of oyster shell developing in the glass. There is intensity here, but it is tightly coiled. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, showing more freshness at the Rolland Laboratory tasting than elsewhere, a dash of spice with a structured, saline finish. This was more promising than recent vintages that I have tasted and hopefully augurs for what is in bottle. There was some variation here, hence the question mark against my banded score.

Wine Advocate: 93

The 2016 La Dominique was tasted on several occasions. Deep in color, it has a blackberry and bilberry-scented bouquet, a touch of oyster shell developing in the glass. There is intensity here, but it is tightly coiled. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, showing more freshness at the Rolland Laboratory tasting than elsewhere, a dash of spice with a structured, saline finish. This was more promising than recent vintages that I have tasted and hopefully augurs for what is in bottle. There was some variation here, hence the question mark against my banded score.

Decanter: 94
Restrained and elegant on the attack, this has plenty of dense, dark black fruit to back it up. The palate opens to show complexity and intensity of fruit, and totally delivers on its opulent and silky billing, with lovely touches of spice to pick up the finish. Well constructed. It is planted to 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 70% new oak with Michel Rolland as consultant. 49hl/ha yield, 3.75pH.

Decanter: 94

Restrained and elegant on the attack, this has plenty of dense, dark black fruit to back it up. The palate opens to show complexity and intensity of fruit, and totally delivers on its opulent and silky billing, with lovely touches of spice to pick up the finish. Well constructed. It is planted to 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 70% new oak with Michel Rolland as consultant. 49hl/ha yield, 3.75pH.

Wine Enthusiast: 94
This wine is impressive in both structure and ripe, generous fruits. It is solid, with good potential for aging, though the dark tannins suggest that it will develop slowly. Enjoy through 2032.

Vinous: 93
The 2016 La Dominique is powerful, dense and explosive. Mocha, plum, lavender, sweet spice and menthol are some of the many notes that flesh out in the glass. Exotically ripe and voluptuous, but not at all heavy, the 2016 possesses superb balance and integration of all of its elements. The style leans on overt ripeness and density. Readers should expect a decidedly concentrated, rich Saint-milion. Michel Rolland is the consultant. Tasted three times.

Vinous: 93

The 2016 La Dominique is powerful, dense and explosive. Mocha, plum, lavender, sweet spice and menthol are some of the many notes that flesh out in the glass. Exotically ripe and voluptuous, but not at all heavy, the 2016 possesses superb balance and integration of all of its elements. The style leans on overt ripeness and density. Readers should expect a decidedly concentrated, rich Saint-milion. Michel Rolland is the consultant. Tasted three times.

James Suckling: 94
The nose is still a bit shy, but there’s lovely, delicate, floral character. Sleek, bright and quite structured with plenty of earthy character. The moderately tannic finish is long, fine and complex. Better in 2020 and good aging potential.

Jeb Dunnuck: 92
Tasted on multiple occasions, the 2016 Château La Dominique is unquestionably an outstanding wine. From vines just east of Cheval Blanc and a blend of 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up 40% in new oak (20% of the blend was in tank), it reveals a deep ruby/purple color as well as a stacked bouquet of sweet red and black fruits intermixed with more subtle tobacco, cedary spice, and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, balanced, and a classic 2016 (as well as classic Saint-Emilion), it’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and drink well for two decades.

Jeb Dunnuck: 92

Tasted on multiple occasions, the 2016 Château La Dominique is unquestionably an outstanding wine. From vines just east of Cheval Blanc and a blend of 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up 40% in new oak (20% of the blend was in tank), it reveals a deep ruby/purple color as well as a stacked bouquet of sweet red and black fruits intermixed with more subtle tobacco, cedary spice, and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, balanced, and a classic 2016 (as well as classic Saint-Emilion), it’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and drink well for two decades.