Le Dome

This small but distinguished estate is located on the outskirts of Saint Emilion town. With only 3 hectares to its name, Le Dome’s first vintage was the 1996 which placed the estate in good stead as it rivalled many of the Premier Cru Classé estates in terms of both price and quality. Their vineyards are reputed to have the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux, with some 80% of the vineyards dedicated to this variety. The remainder go to Merlot. Following harvest, the grapes undergo cold maceration before being vinified in stainless steel tanks and wooden vats. Production at Le Dome is equally small, with three runs of manual, green harvesting taking place that reduces the overall yield. In total, annual production is only between 750 and 1000 cases, making those bottles which are available all the more special.

Under Jonathan Maltus, formerly of Chateau Teyssier, and the J&T Finance Group there has been great investment at the estate. In 2019, renowned architect Lord Norman Foster built Le Dome’s new winery, complete with tasting rooms, conference areas and leisure and entertainment facilities, estimated at a cost of €11million. All aspects of the building take into account the winery’s location, in the heart of a UNESCO world heritage site; it is part submerged underground, French oak beams support the domed roof and terracotta tiles from the ruin that was on this site have been repurposed.