【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 91 pts】
【Vivino 3.8】
ZF093A-Relais de la Dominique Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016
Special Price: $215/bottle
6 bottles special Price: $1188 (Average $198/bottle)
Type: Red Wine
Region : Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Grapes : 100% Merlot
Alcohol : 14% vol
Wine Consultant : Michel Rolland
Website: https://www.chateau-ladominique.com/en/nuances
James Suckling 91 pts
Blueberry and blackberry aromas and flavors with a medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. It’s chewy and polished at the end.
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.
Relais de la Dominque is the second wine of Château La Dominique. Depending on the vintage, this Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is produced from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon vines aged around 35 years. These vines thrive on a brown sandy-clay soil, giving this prestigious cuvée all its depth. With its garnet-red color, this wine reveals aromas of red fruits and spices. Aged for 14 months in barrels (15%) and stainless steel vats (85%), it preserves the tannins that are so precious for balance on the palate.
