This Winery Disappeared. Somehow, We Found Its Wine

Domaine de Saint Dominique IGP Pays de l'Herault 2009 Link to Purchase: https://www.winex.com/domaine-de-saint-dominique-igp-pays-de-l-herault-2009-pre-arrival.html This remarkable 17-year-old French red comes from a now-defunct 14-hectare estate in the Languedoc, established by Bordeaux-connected wine professionals in a neighborhood known for some of Southern France's most celebrated producers. The wine itself is a fascinating marriage of Bordeaux and Rhône traditions, blending Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignan, Petit Verdot and Mourvèdre into something entirely its own. When the opportunity crossed our desk, curiosity got the better of us. We requested samples, opened the bottles, and immediately knew we had stumbled onto something special. What makes this wine extraordinary isn't simply its age, but how beautifully it has held together. Rather than the tired, stewed fruit and heavy tertiary characteristics you might expect from a 17-year-old Southern French red, the 2009 Saint Dominique remains remarkably fresh, focused and energetic, with just enough development to remind you that you're drinking something mature. It's the kind of wine that should appeal equally to lovers of aged Bordeaux and the Southern Rhône, and at just $16 per bottle, the value is almost impossible to comprehend. We bought a pallet, and after tasting it again with the team, we're convinced this is a wine you'll wish you purchased by the case. We even have a limited number of magnums for $35. A vanished winery, a beautifully preserved vintage, and a price that feels like a mistake. This is why we love hunting for wine.