2020 Château La Dominique

The 2020 La Dominique has a crisp and delineated bouquet with black fruit in the driving seat. Notes of crushed stone and a touch of pencil box lend complexity. The oak here is very well integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and hints of bell pepper and cracked black pepper—a little drier than expected. It's nicely focused, closing with a grippy finish that is perhaps a bit broad-shouldered, but there is class and longevity here. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Coming from the northwest region of the appellation, not far from Cheval Blanc, and L'L' just across the road, the 2020 Château La Dominique is another round, supple, incredibly impressive wine from this estate, which has clearly been on an upward trajectory. A blend of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 14 months in 50% new barrels (17% was in amphora), its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a Pomerol-like array of cassis, darker cherries, chocolate, truffly earth, and spring flowers. With medium to full-bodied richness, a round, supple, sexy mouthfeel, and beautiful tannins, it's another remarkable effort that readers will love to have in the cellar. While it offers pleasure even today, it's going to benefit from just 3-5 years of bottle age and shine over the following 15+.