Farr Vintners Logo

Le Dôme 2009

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Le Dôme Le Dôme

Label

Tasting Notes

One of the most distinctive wines made in Bordeaux, Le Dome has one of the highest percentages of Cabernet Franc of any claret I can think of. Composed of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot, it exhibits a certain delicacy and elegance (due to the Cabernet Franc component) in addition to resounding power, concentration, depth and multidimensional personality. Black/purple to the rim, it offers strikingly intense notes of spring flowers, raspberries, mulberries and wood smoke, medium to full body, sweet tannin and a cunning intensity and texture that suggest finesse and delicacy. However, the wine's richness, length and lingering depth build incrementally in this exceptional St.-Emilion. It will be drinkable in 4-5 years and should age for two decades or more. This is Jonathan Malthus' finest wine to date.

99
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, March 2012

A blend of 80% Cabernet Franc picked on October 14th and 20% Merlot (additional Cabernet Franc from Vieux Chateau Mazerat) this has a very sleek nose with black cherries, cassis and liquorices, this has a full-bodied palate with delineated silky tannins, firm tannic grip, slightly chalky texture towards the finish with good persistency. The oak is very dominant at the moment so this will need time to meld into the fabric of the wine. Unashamedly modern in style. Tasted March 2010.

91/93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2010

Mineral and sandalwood, with ripe blackberry on the nose. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and an attractive combination of toasted oak and fruit. Racy and polished.

92/95
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2010

Deep colour. Brooding, spicy nose. Rich, dense palate. Generous fruit but a little monolithic at this stage. Plenty of lift and freshness though. Powerful tannic frame. Drink 2015-2025.

18
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2010

The flagship estate of Jonathan Malthus, Le Dome may be the St.-Emilion with the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc (80% in 2009, blended with 20% Merlot). A consistent winner, 2009 may turn out to be the finest wine he has yet produced from this vineyard (although the 2008 will give it a run for its money). A distinctive wine of great length and elegance as well as unmistakable power and authority, the 2009 exhibits beautiful floral, black raspberry, cranberry, cassis, and subtle smoke aromas. Building incrementally in the mouth, the wine reveals medium to full body, an ethereal, nearly sublime style, sweet tannin, and a velvety, opulent finish. This superb St.-Emilion should drink well for two decades or more. (Tasted once.) Drink 2010-2030.

Robert Parker added an asterisk to this wine score to signify that it is a wine he considers has the finest potential of all the offerings he has ever tasted from this estate in nearly 32 years of barrel tasting samples in Bordeaux.

95/97
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.