2005 Le Dôme, St-Emilion

“From the famous flagship estate of Jonathan Malthus, this wine normally has about 75% or more Cabernet Franc in the blend and the rest Merlot. With the great aromatic expression of the vintage, the 2005 Le Dôme offers up a smashing fireworks-like display of spring flowers, blueberries, forest floor, raspberries and cherries. Dense purple in color, medium to full-bodied, light on its feet, but super-intense and rich, this wine performed fabulously well, and is one of the superstars and profound efforts of the vintage. It is actually somewhat approachable, which is not always the case with many 2005s. Drink it over the next 20 years. (RP)” (06/2015)

“It's been a few years since I tasted the 2005 Le Dôme, and it has only improved since then. A magical, thrilling wine, Le Dôme is off the charts gorgeous today. Time has softened some of the initial power and density, but there is still plenty of heft, all driven by gorgeous Cabernet Franc aromatics that lend energy, verve and a real sense of vitality. Like all of the wines here, Le Dôme is a rich, opulent wine built on texture. At sixteen years of age, it retains plenty of inky dark fruit, while the new oak has integrated beautifully. The 2005 is simply fabulous. It remains one of the very finest and most satisfying wines I have ever tasted from Jonathan Maltus. Oh, and it's also very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. (AG)” (04/2021)

“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.” (06/2008)

“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.” (03/2008)