Château La Dominique 2024

Delicately scented, floral, playful on the nose, cherry, plum, grasses, rose petals; straight and fairly compact on the palate, polished tannins, plenty of salinity, not opulent, an athletic lightweight in style, showing breed, precision and freshness, finishing long with red-fruit notes.

Ripe and concentrated, good forward push here, instantly quite captivating on the palate due to the texture, weight and vibrancy. Lifted and so joyous, definitely not as built or rich as previous vintages but this really works with silkiness, chalkiness and brightness. Good persistence and charm. Stylish. So easy to drink this. Restrained and precise but not too much. Ageing: 50% new barrels, 35% one-year barrels, 15% amphorae for 14 months. pH 3.56. Gwen Lucas director. Tasted three times.

Flowers, black raspberries, plums, and a hint of mint impart a unique character to the perfume. Refined, elegant, and fresh, the wine finishes with creamy textures, sweet ripe berries, licorice, spice, and a refreshing touch of mint, along with a hint of espresso. The wine blends 85% Merlot, with 15% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% ABV, 3.56 pH. The wine is aged in 50% new, French oak, and 10% amphora. Drink from 2028-2040. 91-93 Pts

Medium intensity ruby, good quality, carefully measured cedar and sandalwood smoke on the nose, not overpowering but adding depth through the mid-palate, which is not always the case in 2024. Acidity kicks up a little high on the finish, but there is real charm here, and chewy tannins on the finish that suggest this can soften further over ageing. Gwendeline Lucas director. Tasted twice. 3.56 pH. 50% new oak. Harvest 18 to 30 September. 31hl/ha

Beautiful deep red with black highlights. A very pretty nose, intense, fruity and suave. Delicate on the attack, savoury through the mid-palate, with flavour, flesh and a lovely texture; the wine melts into a refined finish with distinguished persistence. Good length. Clearly, after a remarkable 2022, this 2024 follows suit. Blend: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol content: 13.5% - pH: 3.56. Yield: 31 hl/ha.