2018 Château Le Dôme

Description

97+   Lisa Perrotti-Brown
“Le Dôme is from the JCP Maltus portfolio of skillfully crafted Saint-Émilion wines. Neil White is the head winemaker and Thomas Duclos is a consultant here. The 2018 Le Dome is composed of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot, with a 3.82 pH and 14.3% alcohol. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slips sensuously from the glass with beguiling scents of blackberry pie, kirsch, blueberry preserves and plum pudding, plus suggestions of menthol, rose oil, pencil shavings and fragrant earth. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers fantastic energy and freshness, featuring loads of perfumed red and black fruit layers and a firm, very finely grained texture, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Stylistically, this is one of the most elegant vintages of Le Dome that I’ve tasted—and I love it!”

97+   Jeb Dunnuck
“While I don’t think the 2018 Le Dôme hits the same heights as the 2010 or the 2016, it’s nevertheless a beautiful wine in every sense. Based off 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot brought up in the usual 80% new barrels, it’s a full-bodied, beautifully textured, seamless Cabernet Franc with loads of red currant, blueberry, and mulberry fruit as well as notes of cedary herbs, flowers, camphor, and new saddle leather. Always a singular, distinct wine given its high percentage of Cabernet Franc, it’s brilliantly concentrated and has ultra-fine tannins as well as a great finish. Haut Couture at its finest, it’s going to benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age, and I suspect, keep for 30 years or more.”

97   Jane Anson
“With high expectations that this will be classified at the next round in 2022, and the new winery by Sir Norman Foster nearly completed, it’s fair to say that this is a good moment for Le Dôme. The high Cabernet Franc percentage makes its presence felt, and I suggset giving it the full 10 year ageing to really reveal all the nuances, but there is plenty to admire even at this early stage. You feel the grip and the verticality as it moves through the palate, and there is a lovely smoke, flinty edge that is coming to the fore alongisde the anis, clove and marzipan notes now the wine is in bottle. Imposing, as Le Dôme always is, with real presence and character. 80% new oak for malo and maturation. 3.82pH. (Drink between 2028-2044)”

97   Roger Voss for Wine Enthusiast
“A wine that celebrates Cabernet Franc, this comes from a parcel on the lower slope of Saint-Émilion. Its perfumed richness is profound and dense in structured black fruits. Old vines give concentration and add to the great power behind it all. This is a wine to age; drink from 2026.”

96   Antonio Galloni for Vinous
“The 2018 Le Dôme is rich, deep and yet also translucent, with striking depth and tons of character. Sweet black cherry, lavender, spice and menthol lend tons of nuance. As always, Cabernet Franc drives Le Dôme, and that comes through loud and clear in the wine’s lifted aromatic profile and pulsing energy. The 2018 is a rare Le Dôme that will require only minimal cellaring. (Drink between 2025-2038)”