Le Dôme St Emilion Grand Cru 2017

I am on record as enjoying the limestone-driven St Emilion 2017s, and this is another success for me. It feels like a more sculpted version of Le Dôme, bringing us closer to the fragrant, gunsmoke, peony and roses signature aromatics of Cabernet Franc, juicy while still delivering the cocoa bean, espresso and damson power that is typical to this wine. As it opens, the grilled sandalwood and incense character heightens. Totally charming – it could be drunk now, and over the next decade. Neil Whyte winemaker, Jonathan Maltus owner. 80% new oak for ageing, malolactic in new oak.