2021 La Dominique

The 2021 Château La Dominique comes from 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 14 months in 50% new French oak. It has a deeper ruby hue as well as gorgeous aromatics of darker currants, truffly earth, ripe herbs, and flowers. More medium-bodied on the palate, it has a supple, layered mouthfeel, ripe, polished, and nicely integrated tannins, and flawless balance. This is a very complete, balanced, seamless, and incredibly complex 2021 that has the density and class to evolve and drink well for two decades.

Full bottle 1,343 g. Fresh, black-cherry and red-berry fruit. Smells a bit like summer pudding. Long, elegant tannins whistling with graphite and polished gravel. A fresh, elegant, white-pepper and green-peppercorn-scented wine. (TC)

The 2021 La Dominique has a very Left Bank-inspired nose, which is surprising as the Cabernet components comprise only 15% of the blend—I suspect this originates from the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and notes of cracked black pepper, a little austere toward the finish but there is a sense of class and restraint here that enhances the freshness and precision.