1989 Château La Dominique

The 1989 La Dominique is mature in colour with moderate bricking on the rim. The bouquet has probably faded a little in recent years, but is still utterly charming with elegant red fruit, iron rust, truffle and sage, perhaps a little Pomerol like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin. Now at almost 30-years of age it may have dried out somewhat, although it has retained fine balance and freshness, the final third with clove and black pepper coming through. Drink soon if you have any bottle and enjoy. Tasted at the vertical tasting at La Dominique.

The 1989 and 1990 are two terrific examples from this "sleeper" chateau situated on the Pomerol/St.-Emilion boundary, neighboring Cheval Blanc. I have drunk the 1989 multiple times since I purchased it for a modest price when it was offered as a future. The wine is typically forward, with an opaque purple color, and an intense, sweet black-raspberry, cedary, toasty-scented nose. In the mouth, the wine defines the word "opulence" with its viscosity and superb levels of jammy black fruits nicely dosed with high quality wood. Sweet and expansive, this is an exuberant, flamboyant St.-Emilion that should drink well for 10-15 years. Think of it as a wine built along the lines of the great 1971, only superior.