Chateau la Dominique - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2010

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe9/26/2013

Bright, deep ruby-red.  Youthfully medicinal aromas of black raspberry, licorice, espresso and earth.  Densely packed but tight, even a bit disjointed, with serious energy to the flavors of dark berries, spicecake, menthol and fresh herbs.  This rich wine's substantial acidity needs time to harmonize with its  fruit.  Tannins are rather suave.  I found both polished and slightly rustic in my notes. I would not be surprised if this wine merited a higher score with five to seven years of bottle aging. 90+ points

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2013

Delivers a gorgeous note of crème de cassis, followed by dark plum, anise, blackberry coulis and blueberry reduction notes. A glorious display of fruit, with well-embedded charcoal and graphite accents that help the finish drive on with authority. Should age wonderfully. A very strong showing for this estate. Best from 2016 through 2030. –JM

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe3/1/2013

The wine displays plenty of licorice, Christmas fruitcake, black currants, licorice, truffles and some espresso notes. Full-bodied, viscous and somewhat reminiscent of many 2009s, given its blast of fruit, glycerin and heady alcohol, this is a beautifully rich St.-Emilion for pleasure seekers. Don’t discount its ageability, as I am sure it has two decades ahead of it.

The 2010 is a reassuringly great example of La Dominique after some less-than-stellar performances. This has always been one of the best terroirs on the Pomerol-St.-Emilion border, just adjacent to Cheval Blanc, and the 2010 could easily be the finest wine they have made since the 1989 and 1990. The final blend of 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc hit 14.5% natural alcohol.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/14/2013

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The La Dominique has a forward ripe blackberry, briary, crushed stone-scented bouquet that is well defined if missing just a little personality. The palate is grippy and assertive on the entry. It is a dense La Dominique that is trying hard to make a good impression, although the finish is pleasant but just needs to say something. This is competent but not riveting, like so many recent vintages of this estate. Tasted November 2012

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

Polished and rich nose with dark deep fruit and dense minerality. Wonderful pure ripe fruit on the palate with a long layered texture and super velvety tannins. So good to drink already now, but tannins will soften over the next four years.

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe6/30/2011

Mûr aux arômes juteux, il offre un fruit doux. C’est un vin mûr aux saveurs de mûres avec des tanins équilibrés.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe6/30/2011

Couleur sombre, intense, belle. Nez mûr, frais, pur et fruité. Bouche tendre, moelleuse, énergique et suave au goût sophistiqué en finale. Nuances de truffe. Il va ascendant en évoquant un beau lieu viticole.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

Probably the finest La Dominique made since the wonderful duo of 1989 and 1990, the explosively fruity, dense purple-hued 2010 offers notes of licorice, roasted herbs, truffles, black raspberries and blueberry liqueur. Full-bodied and unctuously textured with sweet tannin as well as good freshness and precision, it should drink well for 15-20 years. P. S. The final blend was 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc that achieved 14.5% natural alcohol. Drink 2011-2031

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/30/2011

Sattes Purpur-Granat. Im Nasenbild mit konfitüriger Süsse, gekochte rote Kirschen und frische Himbeeren. Auch im Gaumen eine Fruchtbombe, hier wesentlich frischer, dezent mehlig, gutes Potenzial. 2016-2032.

Asian Palate

86-87 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

This is a full bodied extracted St Emilion with opaque dark purple colour. The flavours are all about ripe fruit and richness. A bit of freshness in its character would be a big improvement.

Le Point

16 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

Fruits noirs, mûre, bouche souple, délicate, petits tanins fins, bon équilibre, vin gourmand et fin à la fois, joli fruit assez explosif en finale. O=2018 G=15 ans.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

This is super powerful, with amazing density and richness. Goes on for minutes. Full, yet reserved and focused. Best ever.

Decanter Magazine

17,5 / 20

byJames Lawther MWthe4/30/2011

You have to go back to 1989 to find a vintage as fine as this. Elegant, lifted, crushed berry fruit aroma and flavour. Ripe, precise tannins. Long, fresh, persistent finish. Drink 2018-2035. (17.5 points)

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2011

An extrovert, with enticing plum, anise and blackberry fruit and a long, supple finish. There's plenty of stuffing and grip, but this is velvety and nicely assimilated, with plenty in reserve. —J.M.

TAST

18 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Le cru de Clément Fayat, magnifiquement placé sur le plateau de Saint-Émilion, est désormais à la hauteur de son potentiel : ce 2010 se révèle gras, ample, harmonieux et fin, doté d’une très belle allonge racée. Grande harmonie.

The Wine Cellar Insider

88-90 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/25/2011

La Dominique sports an earthy, mineral, plum, licorice and blackberry nose. The soft, medium bodied wine finishes with a cassis and cherry finish. 88-90 Pts

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/14/2011

Very dark, concentrated blackish crimson. Meaty and very ripe aromas. But there is some refreshing minerality under all the ripeness too. Racy and fine boned. Really a very attractive, complete wine. Almost Côte-Rôtie texture! Very successful. Drink 2018-2030 (17,5+ points)

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/6/2011

Ripe, juicy aromas, it offers sweet fruit. It's a ripe wine with blackberry flavours and balanced tannins.-R.V.