La Dominique 1997

La Dominique is an estate in Saint-Émilion known for its Merlot-based red wine. It was rated Grand Cru Classé in the official 1955 classification of Saint-Émilion.

Located close to the Pomerol border, the vineyard extends to around 30 hectares (75 acres) and is planted mostly on sandy gravel, but with more clay than its neighbor Cheval Blanc. The majority of plantings are Merlot (around 81 percent), with 16 percent Cabernet Franc (although this is increasing) and a little Cabernet Sauvignon.

In the winery, Château La Dominique undergoes 12-24 hours of cold maceration, and then vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The grand vin is then aged in mostly new oak barrels. The average yearly production is around 90,000 bottles, and the château also makes a second wine, Relais de La Dominique.

Records for La Dominique date back to 1690, although it was first mentioned as a wine estate with its current name in 1785. The name is said to derive from Dominica in the Caribbean where the owner made his fortune. The estate’s reputation dipped in the first half of the 20th century, but in 1969 it was bought by industrialist Clement Fayat who also owns Château Fayat in Pomerol and Clément-Pichon in the Haut-Médoc. Sustained investment has brought about a return to form.