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La Dominique 2010

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

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Label

Tasting Notes

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.

93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 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.

94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2013

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 La Dominique is scented of pencil lead, menthol and leather with a core of black cherry compote, stewed plums and dried mulberries. Medium to full-bodied, it has a sturdy frame of firm, chewy tannins and lively acid supporting the muscular fruit, finishing on a lingering mineral note. 2020 - 2037.

93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2020), March 2020

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.

17.5+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2011
96
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 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
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2011
Read more tasting notes...

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.

92/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

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.

90
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2013

The La Dominique has a very ripe, toasty nose with espresso and a touch of dark chocolate, the oak rather evident at the moment. The palate is rich and decadent on the entry, sappy red-berried fruit, cassis and dark plum, good acidity on the finish, persistent and ambitious. This may well merit a higher score after bottling, as it is difficult to taste at the moment. I remain cautiously optimistic. Tasted April 2011.

90/92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2011

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

94/95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2011
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.