CRITIC REVIEWS
Jane Anson
With high expectations that this will be classified at the next round in 2022, and the new winery by Sir Norman Foster nearly completed, its fair to say that this is a good moment for Le Dôme. The high Cabernet Franc percentage makes its presence felt, and I suggset giving it the full 10 year ageing to really reveal all the nuances, but there is plenty to admire even at this early stage. You feel the grip and the verticality as it moves through the palate, and there is a lovely smoke, flinty edge that is coming to the fore alongisde the anis, clove and marzipan notes now the wine is in bottle. Imposing, as Le Dôme always is, with real presence and character. 80% new oak for malo and maturation. 3.82pH.
Jeb Dunnuck
While I dont think the 2018 Le Dôme hits the same heights as the 2010 or the 2016, its nevertheless a beautiful wine in every sense. Based off 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot brought up in the usual 80% new barrels, its a full-bodied, beautifully textured, seamless Cabernet Franc with loads of red currant, blueberry, and mulberry fruit as well as notes of cedary herbs, flowers, camphor, and new saddle leather. Always a singular, distinct wine given its high percentage of Cabernet Franc, its brilliantly concentrated and has ultra-fine tannins as well as a great finish. Haut Couture at its finest, its going to benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age, and I suspect, keep for 30 years or more.