Relais de La Dominique Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 - Second vin
92/100
James Suckling
92/100
RVF
92/100
Wine Enthusiast
90/100
Yves Beck
90/100
Vinous
90/100
Vert de Vin
"100% Merlot!"
"The nose doesn't suggest that this wine comes from a warm vintage; indeed, it's freshness and notes of red berries that distinguish it. On the palate, there's charm, but also tension and brilliance. A delicious, generous and racy wine. A great success. (Yves Beck 2021)
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Eye
Intense, brilliant garnet-red
Nose
Aromas of red berries and spices, seductive bouquet, notes of blackberry, raspberry and liquorice.
Mouth
Great freshness, greediness, balanced and nicely spicy finish
Serve
At 17-18°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink from
2023
Drink before
2033
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy with duck aiguillettes, truffled brie or chocolate tart...
Bettane & Desseauve
Domaine rated (guide 2022) 3*Stars (High-quality production that can serve as a benchmark in its sector)
About the domain :
This 23-hectare estate is owned by the Fayat family (Fayat in Pomerol and Clément-Pichon in the Médoc). In constant progression, the cru has produced wines worthy of the legendary Pomerol plateau in recent vintages. Since 2011, the percentage of grand vin has fallen from 80% to 55%, gaining in complexity. The percentage of Cabernet Franc is increasing, and the cru is changing dimension, with a finer grain, more subtle tannic intensity and a more nuanced fruitiness.
Guide des Vins Gault & Millau
4* star rating (top-quality production)
About the domain :
"The château is remarkably well situated on the edge of Pomerol, next to Cheval Blanc, on sandy-gravelly soils with a background of iron dross. A victim of frost in 1956, the vineyard was restored to health by Clément Fayat, who bought it in 1969. Substantial investments were made to bring the estate up to the top, and Michel Roland joined in, with parcel-based vinification and micro-oxygenation. The proportion of new barrels is between 50% and 70%.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Domaine noté Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2023 guide) 92/100
Domaine noté (guide 2022) Sélectionné (We remind you that this guide is a prize list and as such, all the estates that appear in it, even without a star, represent, in our eyes, the excellence of French production).
About the wine:
The fruit is graceful, distanced from cheeky directness and a smoky look. The 2018 barely opens with the delicacy of silky flesh. And its greediness, promised by a talkative fruit, is the consequence of a well-treated grape.
About the domain :
With its red building visible from afar, La Dominique has bet big on wine tourism. From the panoramic terrace/restaurant above the winery, you can keep an eye on your neighbors on the western plateau near Pomerol. The estate (29 hectares of clay-limestone, sandy-clay and gravel soils), owned by Correzian entrepreneur Clément Fayat, has undergone major changes on the advice of Julien Viaud (Rolland team): planting of massal selections, use of amphorae and glass eggs... For a long time, La Dominique remained in the soft underbelly of the appellation, but the stylistic evolution of this great wine has been perceptible since 2018.
Wine Enthusiast
Wine rated (2021 guide) 92/100
About the wine:
The second wine of the Cru Classé La Dominique takes on the richness and concentration of the grand vin, but with a softer profile. With richness and density combined with black fruit aromas, this wine will develop well and should be ready from 2024.
Vinous
Wine rated (2021 guide) 90/100
About the wine:
Relais de La Dominique 2018 is delicate, fragrant and beautifully lifted. Pretty floral accents, crushed red berries and spices adorn this wonderfully inviting second wine. 2024 - 2033
James Suckling
Wine rated (2021 guide) 92/100
Recommended area
About the wine:
Aromas of sweet plum and light chocolate lead to a full-bodied palate with very manicured, fine, slightly chewy tannins. Polished texture. Tasty finish. Drink after 2023 and beyond.
About the domain :
Yves Beck
Wine rated (2021 guide) 90/100
About the wine:
The nose doesn't suggest that this wine comes from a warm vintage; indeed, it's freshness and notes of red berries that distinguish it. On the palate, there's charm, but also tension and brilliance. A delicious, generous and racy wine. A great success. 2022-2028
Vert de Vin
Wine rated (2019 guide) 90/100 (Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche)
About the wine:
The nose is fruity, fresh and well balanced. Notes of wild blackberry, flowers and a hint of spice are combined with a touch of fresh leather and a discreet hint of vanilla. Fruity on the palate, with juiciness, tension, freshness, a lovely mineral structure and fine acidity. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy raspberry, fleshy/juicy blackberry and, more lightly, fleshy/juicy black berry, combined with fine touches of licorice, flowers, toast, cardamom and vanilla. Structured tannins.