Polished and rich nose with dark deep fruit and dense minerality. Wonderful pure ripe fruit on the palate with a long layered texture and super velvety tannins. So good to drink already now, but tannins will soften over the next four years.

– jamessuckling.com, Feb 2013

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 La Dominique is scented of pencil lead, menthol and leather with a core of black cherry compote, stewed plums and dried mulberries. Medium to full-bodied, it has a sturdy frame of firm, chewy tannins and lively acid supporting the muscular fruit, finishing on a lingering mineral note.

The wine displays plenty of licorice, Christmas fruitcake, black currants, licorice, truffles and some espresso notes. Full-bodied, viscous and somewhat reminiscent of many 2009s, given its blast of fruit, glycerin and heady alcohol, this is a beautifully rich St.-Emilion for pleasure seekers. Don’t discount its ageability, as I am sure it has two decades ahead of it.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #205, Feb 2013)

Bright, deep ruby-red. Youthfully medicinal aromas of black raspberry, licorice, espresso and earth. Densely packed but tight, even a bit disjointed, with serious energy to the flavors of dark berries, spicecake, menthol and fresh herbs. This rich wine's substantial acidity needs time to harmonize with its fruit. Tannins are rather suave. I found both "polished" and "slightly rustic" in my notes. I would not be surprised if this wine merited a higher score with five to seven years of bottle aging.

Deep ruby-purple. Syrupy blackberry, red cherry and Oriental spices on the nose. Then surprisingly fresh and juicy in the mouth, offering dense flavors of black and red fruits, oaky torrefaction and herbs. Finishes with noteworthy length, noble tannins and a trace of heat.

Tasted blind. Deep opaque garnet. Lively and more youthful than the Ch Gracia just tasted. Dark fruit and peppery spice. Finely textured, rich and juicy. Good harmony in a big wine. Mature red fruits on the finish, slimmer tannins than many. (JH)