I enjoyed a very memorable wine at a business dinner last night at Grill 23 (yes Mike it was a boring VC dinner). We ordered 2 bottles of Chateau La Dominique's 2000 vintage. The property is located in St. Emilion, next to it's much more famous neighbor, Cheval Blanc. It has a bit of sordid history: bad ownership, lousy production, etc. It was purchased in a state of disrepair and Michel Rolland, a relatively new, but rapidly rising star in Bordeaux, is responsible for vinification. The 2000 is most likely the best vintage (I have read the 2001 is also terrific, but have not tried it).The 2000 is a powerful wine, lots of structure, great acidity, and soft tannins. Though my palate is not that sophisticated, I tasted flavors that included raspberrys and figs. As a right banker, the wine is primarily Merlot at 80%, 15% Cab Franc, and 5% Cabernet. I also ordered a bottle of Altamura, a California cab I have always liked. It seemed like a weak sister compared to the Bordeaux. Unlike Cheval Blanc, us working stiffs can afford to purchase Dominique which is $75 per bottle. (Mike, I ordered 3 cases, now you know what you are getting for Christmas). Not as nice as your recent gift, but i try.
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According to the Neal Martin, originator of the Wine Journal and now of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, the 2000 vintage was the best he ever tasted.
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