Ch.Le Dome 1996 750ml

Wine Advocate #227 Oct 29, 2016 by Neal Martin
After two decades, hats off to a Saint Emilion that I suspect is giving more pleasure than many of its Right Bank peers. What I appreciate is that the Cabernet Franc character is not hidden away on the nose, with attractive graphite and bell pepper scents entwined with the red and black fruit, a subtle sea influence emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine thread of acidity, the tannins having softened in recent years, perhaps a little angular as Cabernet Franc can sometimes be. Observing over one hour it actually improved in the glass, gaining harmony and while never troubling the top echelons of my scoring scale, it was just a mature Saint Emilion that is continuing to give drinking pleasure. Perhaps I was a bit too rapturous when this fledgling taster first encountered this garagiste for the first time, nevertheless, my enthusiasm was directed in the right place. Tasted August 2016.

Still in its infancy, Le Dome was purchased in 1996 by Englishman Jonathan Maltus, who created the vineyard by bringing together parcels located close to Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot, Chateau Canon and Chateau Angelus.

The vineyard is part of the much larger Chateau Teyssier, which heads up a range of other wines – namely super cuvees – including Chateau Laforge, Le Carre, Les Asteries and Vieux Chateau Mazerat. At a very small 3.5 hectares, Le Dome is without its own cellars or chateau (and is made at the larger Chateau Teyssier itself), which is why the label lacks an official classification – although most agree the wine is at minimum a Grand Cru Classe.

The vineyard utilises one of the highest concentrations of Cabernet Franc in the Right Bank, 75%, and is planted with these vines at least 60 years old. The wine was originally produced according to ‘garagiste’ principles but has since outgrown the movement to become a highly-regarded – and difficult to obtain – wine in its own right.

Meats, Beef and Venison