There is a light touch to this wine, typical of 2021. From a 25-acre vineyard to the northwest of the Saint-Emilion core, it has ripe licorice and pepper aromas and jammy black-fruit flavors from the dominant Merlot. It is a fine wine, full of potential. Drink from 2027.

Dark plums, cherries, grilled citrus and a touch of dark earth decadence and mushrooms on the nose. Subtle dark spices, too. Medium to full body on the palate with dusty tannins and a lengthy, intricate finish. Refined and layered. Already complex. Drink or hold.

The 2021 La Dominique opens in the glass with notes of minty berries, plums and cherries, framed by a discreet touch of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, suave and polished, with an attractive core of cool, layered fruit, it's framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves on the gently structured finish. While it will show well out of the gates, this will also reward at least a modicum of bottle age.

The 2021 Château La Dominique comes from 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 14 months in 50% new French oak. It has a deeper ruby hue as well as gorgeous aromatics of darker currants, truffly earth, ripe herbs, and flowers. More medium-bodied on the palate, it has a supple, layered mouthfeel, ripe, polished, and nicely integrated tannins, and flawless balance. This is a very complete, balanced, seamless, and incredibly complex 2021 that has the density and class to evolve and drink well for two decades.

Soft in feel, with modest damson plum and cherry fruit lined with a whiff of chalk. Ends with a potpourri echo. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2025. 10,000 cases made.