A brief history of Chateau La Dominique Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux

Located on the northwest border of the Saint-Émilion appellation, Château La Dominique is esteemed for its vibrant red wines, predominantly crafted from Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. It was ranked Grand Cru Classé in the official Saint-Émilion 1955 classification. The estate dates back to 1690 although the first recorded use of its current name was nearly a century later. Originally established by a wealthy merchant, the estate has seen various custodians enhance its viticultural and winemaking legacy. In the late 20th century, the Fayat family acquired Château La Dominique, infusing new life and innovation into its operations. Under their guidance, the winery has not only upheld its reputation but has soared to new heights, marked by the construction of a state-of-the-art winery designed by the renowned architect Jean Nouvel. Château La Dominique comprises about 29 hectares mostly planted to Merlot alongside small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.

Chateau La Dominique Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux overview

The property’s first wine is Château La Dominique. Merlot dominates with harmonious support from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, showcasing the quintessential characteristics of Saint-Émilion. This unique composition provides the perfect environment for Merlot to express its full potential, resulting in wines of profound depth, complexity and elegance. Meticulously aged in French oak barrels, the wine achieves a remarkable balance, presenting a luxurious texture and a structure that promises graceful ageing.

Performance

Understanding Chateau La Dominique Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux

The estate employs sustainable viticulture to nurture the vineyard, ensuring that each vine thrives in harmony with its environment. This dedication to sustainable winemaking extends through every stage of production, from careful hand-harvesting to the selection of oak barrels for ageing. The estate boasts the typically sandy soils of Saint-Émilion with a greater amount of clay than is found elsewhere in the appellation. This helps enrich the wines with great depth and body. The winery leverages both traditional techniques and modern innovations to capture the essence of its terroir. Juice and wine are vinified through gravity processes to preserve purity. Vinification occurs in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks followed by maturation for 16 months in oak, the greater portion of which are new. Château La Dominique features ripe red fruit, hints of spice, liquorice and delicate florals in a luxuriously textured palate with silky tannins. This wine has excellent cellaring potential when it develops complexity and nuance.

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