Le Dome Saint-Emilion 2018

98 points Wine Doctor: "As always this is a blend of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot, in this vintage the former picked on October 11th, the latter picked on October 1st. The alcohol is 14.3%, the pH 3.82. As usual, this stands out as a completely different style within the Maltus portfolio, the nose dark with spiced pencil shavings, as well as a little touch of green peppercorn, with rose petal nuances with heady hedgerow fruits, blackberries and hawthorn. But it is that polished, pencil shaving, rose petal and cocoa bean character that really defines the nose, very expressive and confident. The palate is dark, but fresh and open, highly polished, with a little wrapping of praline, toast and coffee bean around the perfumed fruit. It shows a quite distinct tannic structure compared to the Merlot-dominated cuvées, pure and defined, the backbone of the wine perfectly ripe. Alongside it has a lightly chalky, finely grained, taut and bright poise, yet it maintains a sense of polish and substance. This is potentially brilliant. What I like most about this is that while it transmits the success of the vintage, through its substance and ripe grip, it retains the perfume of Cabernet Franc, which of course dominates the blend. This is of course essential for a keen Cabernet Franc fan. As for the length this goes on and on, and is riven with ripe Cabernet tannins, with perfumed chalk and slowly fading scents of rose petals. Cool yet rich, broad yet polished, seductive yet vigorous, every mouthful feels different. Great potential here. The élevage will be in 80% new oak. Tasted twice. (04/19)."

97+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Le Dome is from the JCP Maltus portfolio of skillfully crafted Saint-Émilion wines. Neil White is the head winemaker and Thomas Duclos is a consultant here. The 2018 Le Dome is composed of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot, with a 3.82 pH and 14.3% alcohol. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slips sensuously from the glass with beguiling scents of blackberry pie, kirsch, blueberry preserves and plum pudding, plus suggestions of menthol, rose oil, pencil shavings and fragrant earth. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers fantastic energy and freshness, featuring loads of perfumed red and black fruit layers and a firm, very finely grained texture, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Stylistically, this is one of the most elegant vintages of Le Dome that I've tasted—and I love it! Drink 2025-2050. (03/31/21)."

97+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "While I don't think the 2018 Le Dôme hits the same heights as the 2010 or the 2016, it's nevertheless a beautiful wine in every sense. Based off 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot brought up in the usual 80% new barrels, it's a full-bodied, beautifully textured, seamless Cabernet Franc with loads of red currant, blueberry, and mulberry fruit as well as notes of cedary herbs, flowers, camphor, and new saddle leather. Always a singular, distinct wine given its high percentage of Cabernet Franc, it's brilliantly concentrated and has ultra-fine tannins as well as a great finish. Haut Couture at its finest, it's going to benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age, and I suspect, keep for 30 years or more. Drink 2025-2055. (03/11/21)."

97 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "High toned and very ripe on the nose - really heady and perfumed black, jammy fruits. Big and dense, but more in the flavours rather than the texture here, you get a lot of liquorice and the Cabernet showing its star power - dark and brooding with layers of complexity, acidity and concentration. Completely different in style to the 2019 - this is perhaps a little quiet right now to some extent, just waiting for it's time to shine. Potentially has more grip and structure to go the distance while the 2019 may end up being more elegant. This has character though with a lovely chalky minerality. A bold, imposing wine. Drink 2028-2048. (11/04/22)."

97 points Roger Voss (Wine Enthusiast): "A wine that celebrates Cabernet Franc, this comes from a parcel on the lower slope of Saint-Émilion. Its perfumed richness is profound and dense in structured black fruits. Old vines give concentration and add to the great power behind it all. This is a wine to age; drink from 2026. (04/01/21)."

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Le Dôme is rich, deep and yet also translucent, with striking depth and tons of character. Sweet black cherry, lavender, spice and menthol lend tons of nuance. As always, Cabernet Franc drives Le Dôme, and that comes through loud and clear in the wine's lifted aromatic profile and pulsing energy. The 2018 is a rare Le Dôme that will require only minimal cellaring. Drink 2025-2038. (03/21)."