Château La Dominique

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 La Dominique is a little broody, offering up damp soil, pencil lead, wild fungi and charcoal scents over a core of plum preserves and stewed blackberries. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers muscular black and blue fruit preserves, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing earthy. It opened considerably after a few hours, contributing exotic spice and floral undertones. Give it 4-5 years in cellar and drink it over the following 15 years+.

Tasted blind. Restrained nose. Verging on austere! This one seems to be really going to the extreme of proving it is not a pastiche wine… Needs quite a bit of time and I fear the tannin may always overpower the fruit.

Aromas of blueberry, mulberry, spiced plum, walnut, tobacco and cigar box on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, silky tannins that frame a core of ripe blue and purple fruit. Polished and rich with wonderful depth. Better from 2024.