Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #170, May 2007
POINTS 92-94. Aromatically speaking, this is one of the most complex wines of St.-Emilion. The 2005 exhibits notes of blueberries, raspberries, menthol, and graphite along with terrific fruit, medium body, superb palate penetration, good acidity, ripe tannin, and a surreal lightness. Boasting undeniable nobility as well as class, considerable Cabernet Franc in the blend provides a distinctive personality. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020?
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
POINTS 92-94. With a 1,000-case production, this does not qualify as a garage wine any longer, but it is the only Bordeaux I know of that contains a whopping 75% Cabernet Franc in the blend. Proprietor Jonathan Maltus told me that some of the Merlot came in at 15% alcohol, with the Cabernet Franc averaging 14%. You would never know that when tasting this wine because of its extraordinarily fresh acidity and vibrancy. Possessing an ethereal texture as well as terrific fruit purity and richness, medium to full body, and stunning persistence, it is a harmonious, complex effort with Cheval Blanc-like complexity and finesse. However, there is no shortage of power or concentration. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #176, April 2008
POINTS 96. A Cheval Blanc look-alike, this cuvee (which includes a high percentage of Cabernet Franc) boasts an ethereal nose of raspberries, menthol, spring flowers, and hints of cedar as well as new oak. Full-bodied, exceptionally fresh, and noble, this is a complex, classic, distinctive wine that should drink well in 3-4 years, and last for two decades. It is the finest Le Dome yet made, but sadly, there are only 1,000 cases. Drink 2011-2028.
The Compelling 2005 Red Bordeaux Revisited? Prior to Bottling , Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate #170 May 2007
2005 Le Dome 92-94 Aromatically speaking, this is one of the most complex wines of St.-Emilion. The 2005 exhibits notes of blueberries, raspberries, menthol, and graphite along with terrific fruit, medium body, superb palate penetration, good acidity, ripe tannin, and a surreal lightness. Boasting undeniable nobility as well as class, considerable Cabernet Franc in the blend provides a distinctive personality. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020?.
Decanter, April 2006
5 STARS. Velvety black-red, very fragrant, stunning concentration on the nose, quite massive at first, then showing great sophistication and purity from 50-year-old vineyard fruit, very good indeed. Drink 2009-20. (19 points)
Farr Vintners, April 2006
From a 3.5ha single vineyard situated next to Angelus, this represents possibly the biggest expression of Cabernet Franc in a wine from Bordeaux. The terroir is sand with a base of crasse de fer (ironstone) at a very shallow depth - thereby maintaining a quick-draining surface - essential for Cabernet Franc. Owner and winemaker Jonathan Maltus chooses green harvesting and a saignee, after which the yield is 28hl/ha. Fermentation is in wooden vats with malolactic in new French oak.
Fiona Morrison MW, Wine & Spirits
This garage winery is now ten years old and has put in consistently fine performances in recent vintages. Its location (just above Angélus) may account for the richness and purity of fruit here. The blend of 75 percent cabernet franc and 25 percent merlot offers lovely sloe berry and plum scented fruit. There's peppery earthiness in the tannin, finishing with density as well as elegance.
Gavin Quinney, Wine & Spirit Magazine
POINTS 93-96. Englishman Jonathan Maltus makes this delicious, cabernet franc dominated beauty from old vines near Angelus. The best Le Dôme yet and the star turn in a super line-up of Maltus wines – just ahead of the 250 case ‘Les Astéries’.
Gil Lempert-Schwarz, WineVegas, 2005
Jonathan Maltus is one of the few rebels in Bordeaux. The general feeling that one gets when tasting Maltus’ wines is one of big concentrated fruit from very good terroir. He is without a doubt one of the very few winemakers, perhaps the only one, who has mastered making great wines in both the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres.
Super dense purplish red. Mega concentrated nose with black fruit, especially cherry and blackberry. There's also some softly oaky undertones. In the mouth, it is like biting into a cluster of huckleberries and then layered complex tastes of both cherry, tobacco and vanilla. What an amazing wine this is through the middle palate and then the grand finale of beautiful rounded tannins with amazing length.
James Suckling, Wine Spectator
POINTS 93. Has green olive, licorice and cut-wood aromas, with plenty of plum and crushed berry character. Full-bodied, with round, polished tannins and a beautiful finish. A real crowd-pleaser.
Jancis Robinson, April 2006
POINTS 17. Drink 2015-22. Very dark and healthy colour. Quite meaty. Full and broad and spicy and meaty. Rich and full and intense. Very thick. Planted just after the 1956 frost. Relatively dense.
Justerini & Brooks, April 2006
The 2005 Le Dôme is perhaps Jonathan Maltus’s finest wine yet, continuing the theme of brooding depths of dark fruit that has been set over the last few vintages. The usual blend of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot shows a very fine nose indeed, with a touch more lush fruit than in the 2004, all elegantly enticing. Seamless on the palate, with an almost endless variety of savoury secondary flavours: black cherry, espresso, sweet dark chocolate, powdery limestone and truffle hints. Firm, supremely smooth oak tannins round off into a long, balanced finish. Sensational wine!
Neal Martin, Wine Journal, eRobertParker
POINTS 95-97. The tenth anniversary of Jonathan Maltus self-confessed garagiste superstar and very fine it is too. A beautifully Cabernet Franc dominated nose: blackberry and a touch of fig and burnt toast. The palate is very well-balanced, high extraction but not over-powering and no astringency like some other Saint Emilions. Maintains both finesse and power. Clams up towards the finish. Pure and very seductive.
Stephen Tanzer's, May 2008
POINTS 92. Bright ruby-red. Superripe aromas of black raspberry, plum, licorice and beefsteak tomato, with cooler notes of menthol and violet in the background. Large-scaled, rich and very ripe, with sweet, inviting flavors of plum, mocha, caramel and tobacco framed by harmonious acidity. Finishes with powerful but ripe tannins and excellent length. This is impressive but appears to be in a somewhat sullen stage; on this day, I found it a bit less bright and gripping than the bottle of Les Asteries I tasted alongside it. But this needs some patience. (Incidentally, I enjoyed a bottle of the 2002 Le Dome in Bordeaux this spring and rated it a solid 90 points; my original score had been 88+?.).
Steven Tanzer, International Wine Cellar
POINTS 91-93. Deep ruby. Aromas of black cherry, licorice, violet and minerals. Dense, supple and fat but with lovely violet and mineral lift to the berry and chocolate flavors. This impressively rich and spicy wine seemed to shut down in the glass. Finishes big, broad and mouthcoating, with terrific lift from the cabernet franc. The best young sample of Le Dome that I've tasted to date.
Wine Behind the Label - Williamson & Moore, 2005
5 STARS. This vies with 'La Mondotte' to be first among the garage wines of Saint Emilion. It is produced from a single parcel which neighbours Chateau Angelus. Cabernet Franc is the main component at over 70%, with the balance Merlot. The wine is modern in style with pre-fermentation maceration and both pigeage and pumping over are employed during fermentation. Malolactic is conducted in barrel and then 50% is drawn off and aged in a second series of brand new oak barrels. Yet whilst it is very deep and very concentrated, the wine's fine mineral structure provides exemplary balance. It will require seven or eight years' patience to show at it's peak.
Wine Enthusiast Magazine
POINTS 95. An aristocratic, perfumed wine dominated by delicious Cabernet Franc. Beneath this elegant exterior, there is also power from intensely concentrated fruit and tannins. The wine is already well integrated, the wood only here by feel, balancing so well with the fruit. To finish, sweet fruit and dusty tannins combine easily. — R.V.
Wine Enthusiast Online, April 2006
POINTS 92-94. A fine, perfumed Cabernet Franc dominated wine that builds layers of rich, intense fruit. This is solid and powerful, but also shows potential charm. The dry aftertaste suggests good aging. -R.V.
Wine Spectator Online, April 2006
POINTS 92-94. Licorice and blackberry with hints of tar. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins. Long finish. Big and juicy. Almost classic quality. —J.S
Serena Sutcliffe, Sotherby's
Spicy, roasted raisins on the nose. Sweet red fruit on the palate, with masses of glycerol and liquorice. Succulent and lip licking good.
Le Dome Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2005 94 96
