1957 La Dominique
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Tasting notes
Another find of Neal's in a Beaune wine shop. Made when the de Bailliencourt family of Gazin owned the estate. Cool and fresh on the nose. Acidity to the fore and if anything less successful than the 1956 Pape Clément but still recognisably wine! 'Not painful' say my notes! (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 1957 La Dominique hails from an era when the Saint-Émilion estate was owned by the de Baillencourt family, the current proprietors of Château Gazin in Pomerol. Given that this is an off-vintage and, frankly, I have no experience with these wines predating the 1980s, I had no idea what to expect. Also, considering this was made mere months after the winter freeze that killed many vines, production must have been minuscule. It is a little "static" on the nose, sometimes indicative of an excessively long barrel maturation, though it loosens up with more black than red fruit, a marine element and hints of salted licorice. The palate is medium-bodied and quite firm in structure, with hints of blood orange suffusing the sour cherry fruit with quite an intense finish. This is far better than expected. Tasted at Jancis Robinson's "Old Bottle" dinner in London.
About the producer
This 29-hectare estate’s site speaks for itself, neighbouring Cheval Blanc, Figeac, Evangile and La Conseillante at the northwestern edge of Saint-Emilion, where the appellation meets Pomerol.