Chateau La Dominique 2020

Professional Ratings

• 95 Decanter
  Another successful vintage for La Dominique, ruby colour with violet reflections, this has the measured delivery of succulent damson and black cherry fruit, clearly gong for a gourmet-feel with grilled butterscotch and cocoa beans. It totally works - has firm tannins, cooling blue fruits and freshness through the middle, no dip in the mid palate and waves of secondary aromatics. Serious, and a clear progression of the past few vintages.
  Barrel Sample: 95
• 95 Jeb Dunnuck

  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.

• 95 Vinous
  The 2020 La Dominique presents a nose of red and black fruit, subtle hints of fireside ash, and even a faint hint of Christmas cake in the background, all well defined and focused. The medium-bodied palate offers a sapid entry, crisp acidity and flavors of blackberry plus touches of tobacco and smoke, maintaining fine delineation all the way through to the finish. This is a step up from recent vintages, a testament to the changes that have been implemented at the estate. La Dominique is back!
  Barrel Sample: 93-95
• 94 James Suckling
  A very fine La Dominique with curated and polished tannins that spread across the palate. together with plenty of berry, slate, wet-earth and spice character. Bright finish. Fine-grained. Needs time to open and come together. Try after 2027.
• 94 Wine Enthusiast
  This wine is marked by freshness with bright blackberry flavors that are lifted over the firm tannins. While this gives the wine a deceptively open character, in fact the wine's structure is all there, ready to allow it to age over many years.
  Barrel Sample: 92-94
• 94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  Displaying an opaque purple-black color, the 2020 La Dominique needs a fair bit of swirling and coaxing to unlock enticing scents of crushed black cherries, black raspberries and ripe plums, plus beguiling nuances of violets, aniseed and cedar chest, with a waft of cardamom. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly wound with loads of bright, crunchy red and black fruit layers, supported by finely grained tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long with a gorgeous array of energetic mineral sparks. A property on the upward swing, this delicately crafted, beautifully restrained expression of the vintage comes highly recommended. Barrel Sample : (92-94)+

• 91 Wine Spectator

  Forward and succulent, with friendly blackberry cobbler and plum sauce mixed with black licorice, while a hint of baker's chocolate checks in on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.