2012 Le Dome, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

This St.-Emilion (1,000 cases), which has a very high percentage of Cabernet Franc (80%, which is much higher than Cheval Blanc or Ausone) has always been the flagship wine of proprietor Jonathan Malthus. The 2012 has a dense ruby/purple color and plenty of raspberry and blueberry fruit intermixed with spring flower garden notes, which are followed by a medium-bodied wine with stunning elegance, purity and minerality. It is not the biggest wine, but the quality of the fruit, the complex nuances, and overall equilibrium make for a very special Bordeaux to drink over the next 15 or so years.

The 2012 exhibits a deep purple color along with abundant aromas of blueberries, mulberries, spring flowers, white chocolate and spice. This supple-textured, medium to full-bodied wine has finesse, but it does not sacrifice any concentration, depth or length. Drink it over the next 15+ years. There are approximately 1,000 cases of the 2012 Le Dome, which includes one of the highest percentages of Cabernet Franc of any Bordeaux wine (80%). While harvested between October 8 and 18, the heavy rain that occurred has not diluted this beautifully scented and layered St.-Emilion. Drink: 2013 - 2028

Full body, with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Balanced and delicious to taste. Juicy. 80% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot.

(80% Cabernet Franc/20% Merlot) Tight but still shiny, modern nose which – a rarity for the vintage – screams Cabernet Franc. Very dense, sweet tannin. Very intense blackcurrant and plum fruit. Massive structure but fine grain. Juicy and balanced but the polish is prominent. Incredible strength of character. Great in its style.

The Le Dome has a soft, slightly smudged bouquet with macerated black cherries, blueberry and a hint of dark chocolate with well integrated oak. The palate is full-bodied and demonstrates good fruit concentration – thick, sinewy tannins with a long, spherical, modern finish with a long white pepper tinged aftertaste. It will need several years in bottle before it even considers entering the drinking plateau. Tasted April 2013

(80% cabernet franc and 20% merlot): Bright, full ruby. Perfumed aromas of strawberry, white pepper, graphite and cocoa. Clean and fresh but quite closed on the palate, with hints of raspberry syrup, pepper and minerals. Opened nicely and showed increasing sweetness with air, finishing suave and long, with a repeating floral quality. That a wine with such a high percentage of cabernet franc could be so good in 2012 is a testament to the talents of the team at Le Dome.