2003 Le Dome Bordeaux Blend

Bordeaux Blend - 750ML
Reg: $142.94
$126.94
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REVIEWS

WA 95 WS 87
WA 95

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, August 2014

The final blend for the 2003 Le Dome was 73% Cabernet Franc and 27% Merlot. This is another shockingly great 2003 that is close to full maturity. It reveals a brilliant combination of power and complexity. The deep...
WS 87

Wine Spectator, March 2006

This is raisiny and slightly cooked on the nose with loads of fruit. Full-bodied with a slightly overdone character. Chocolate coffee and raisin aftertaste. Rustic really. Best after 2009. 1000 cases made. –JS

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Saint Emilion
Vintage 2003
Size 750ML

Founded in 1996, Le Dome is allegedly the biggest expression of Cabernet Franc of any Bordeaux wine – surpassing Chateau Cheval Blanc and Le Dome’s neighbor, Chateau Angelus. Its origins have their roots in the ‘garage’ movement of the 1990’s. Jonathan Maltus of Chateau Teyssier, the estate’s creator, was at the epicenter of this movement, with his sought-after wine Le Dome being one of the top three cult wines from the region.

The vines, planted from 1960 to 1970, are on 3.20 hectares of sandy soils above a layer of light clay with a Crasse de Fer (iron deposits). The iron deposits, coupled with the south facing slope, ensure amazing drainage, keeping the vines seeking moisture.

Maltus produces eight Saint-Emilion wines, ranging from the estate wines Chateau Teyssier and Chateau Laforge, as well as limited-release single vineyard wines Le Dome, Le Carre, Les Asteries, and Vieux Chateau Mazerat. Maltus has also ventured into Napa Valley, with single-vineyard wines produced under the World's End label.

The Le Dome Grand Cru is a blend of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot. Vines for this release are cropped low – around 30 hectoliters per hectare – four bunches to the vine (less than half the volume authorized by the Appellation), thus ensuring its incredible concentration.

The fruit is hand-harvested then sorted, first by bunch then grape-by-grape. Fermentation takes place in wooden vats after extremely cold maceration. Malolactic fermentation and aging takes place in new French oak barrels.

Le Dome has the highest Cabernet Franc percentage of any wine in Bordeaux and is said to be the biggest expression of that grape in the region. The wine is full-bodied but has elegance and finesse. The optimal drinking window is very broad, from just a few years to more than 25 years after the vintage.