Chateau La Dominique 2014 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe 《Terroir Collection - ZTF593B》

Region : Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe

Grapes : 85% Merlot , 15% Cabernet Franc  

Alcohol : 14% vol

Wine Consultant :  Michel Rolland

Website: https://www.chateau-ladominique.com/en/nuances

⭐Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe 
⭐Wine Consultant Michel Rolland 

⭐Located on the boarder with the Pomerol appellation and its vineyards adjoin to the Cheval Blanc

⭐️Stephen Brook compared La Dominique's terroir to the famous Cheval Blanc and L'Evangile

"The vineyards lie in a band alongside those of Cheval Blanc and the best parcels are those close to Cheval Blanc and L'Evangile!"

🏅 James Suckling 94 pts

🏅 Wine Spectator 92 pts

🏅 Vinous 92 pts

🏅 Wine Advocate 91 pts

🏅 Decanter 90 pts

🏅 VIVINO 4.1

Chateau La Dominique History

Chateau La Dominique has a long history in the region that dates back to the 1700’s. The estate takes its name from an island in the Caribbean that was where the original owner of the property earned his fortune, Dominique.

Owned by the Fayat family since 1969, when they purchased the estate from the de Bailliencourt family, who had owned the vineyard since 1933. The de Bailliencourt family still own Chateau Gazin in Pomerol. Chateau La Dominique has experienced numerous changes over the previous two decades since it was obtained by Clement Fayat.

Winemaking

he 29 hectare vineyard of Chateau La Dominique is planted to 81% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is the goal of the estate to increase the portion of Cabernet Franc in the vineyards until they reach 20% of their total plantings.

In 2019, they planted a small .5 hectare parcel of Malbec. In all, the vineyard consists of 23 planted hectares that are classified as Grand Cru Classe. The terroir is deep gravel over clay with some sand in the soil. The vineyard is planted on gentle, sloping hillsides, which rise to 44 meters at their peak.

However, there are also patches of deep clay soil at La Dominique. The vine density ranges between 7,000 and 9,000 vines per hectare. The higher levels of density are found in the new plantings. As I mentioned, La Dominique has good neighbors.

Chateau La Dominique is situated not far from Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau Figeac in Saint Emilion. As you head north to Pomerol they are also bordering Chateau Conseillante and LEvangile in Pomerol.

As you can see from just looking at their neighbors, it is easy to note that Chateau La Dominique is located close to the border of Pomerol and Saint Emilion, which explains in part, the natural elegance and freshness in their wine.

The estate is experimenting with biodynamic farming. 5 hectares of the vineyard are now farmed using biodynamic farming techniques.

In 2013, Chateau La Dominique finished their two year, complete renovation of the entire estate including the chateau, cellars, wine making facilities, grape reception area and a larger vat house designed by the noted architect, Jean Nouvel.

The bright red, wine colored walls double as a work of art that reflects the vineyard and terror of Chateau La Dominique. The bright, wine colored building can be seen from quite a distance, which has caused some issues with some of their neighbors.

Everything at La Dominique is intended to be the most up to date, modern technology available. This includes isolated, stainless steel tanks with double thermo-controlled skins and variable levels of capacity.

This will allow for very precise vinification on a parcel by parcel basis. The wine travels only by gravity. They have a new a cold room and La Dominique will continue using optical sorters as well, but as of now, they are still in an experimental capacity.

At Chateau La Dominique, fermentation takes place in 22, 73 hectoliter, thermo-regulated, stainless steel steel vats with a 25-35 day maceration.

Malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of new oak barrels and vat. The wine is aged on its lees for five to six months with the lees stirred during the first month.

Chateau La Dominique is aged in 50% to 70% new oak barrels for about 16 months. The estate is experimenting with aging up to 10% of their wine in clay amphora and egg shaped vats.

Interestingly, the wine was almost 100% Merlot for the 2009 Bordeaux vintage. The estate produces a second wine, Saint-Paul-de-Dominique. Production averages slightly more than 7,000 cases per year.

🏅James Suckling 94 pts

Very precise aromas of blackberries, blueberries, oyster shell and sweet tobacco. Subtle yet complex. Full-bodied, tight and silky with a reaching tannin structure that drives through the palate. Excellent at the end. Long finish. 

🏅Vinous 92 pts

The 2014 La Dominique is a big, powerful wine that needs time for thetannins to soften. Blue and purplish-hued stone fruits, licorice, mentholspice and a good bit of French oak shape a powerful, deeply expressiveSaint-Émilion that hits all the right notes. The 20l4 has certainlydeveloped nicely since l tasted it from barrel. There is plenty to like. Theblend is 85 % Merlot and 15 % Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times.

🏅Wine Advocate 91 pts

The 2014 La Dominique was tasted on numerous occasions (in fact, a total of five in total—nothing like a bit of rigor). This was a wine I wanted to like, but the fruit felt disjointed and a little green on four out of five occasions. Initially, I put that down to atmospheric pressure, but I discerned the same on all bottles apart from one. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a fine line of acidity on the entry, although again there was a jarring herbaceous tincture that persisted. This showed better out of barrel and indeed, the best bottle I tasted was actually at the London Union de Grand Cru tasting instead of those in Bordeaux. It was a perplexing showing, so I will give it another year and let's see what happens. Maybe I will taste it five times again!