DOMINUS!!

Just saying the name fills me with a sense of raw power and prestige. As it should - with 100 points flanked by THREE 98 ratings it’s exactly that. Powerful and prestigious.

Of course, it starts with the Moueix family of the pearl of Pomerol Château Pétrus fame (plus La Fleur-Pétrus, Trotanoy, Hosanna, etc.) Christian Moueix came to Napa in the 1980s to start a new project with Napanook Vineyard, originally planted by George Yount in 1838, that became Dominus. And he earned massive praise and recognition from day one.

A recent Wine Enthusiast study of “California’s Top 10 Collectible Wines” ranked Dominus #2 just below Screaming Eagle, and above Scarecrow, Opus One, Monte Bello, Harlan, Colgin, Insignia, because “Moueix first fell in love with Napa Valley as a grad student studying enology at UC Davis, during the 1960s. Dominus Estate, a minimalist stone winery in the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, is his monument to that moment… one of the most long-lived and classically styled wines in California, mostly from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Collectors have invested in Dominus for a generation, but it’s recently appreciated in value almost as fast as Screaming Eagle.”

We have just a handful of cases to spare at this price. Will not last!

100 Points - The Wine Independent “Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Dominus was harvested from September 29 to October 10. It was aged in 40% new oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose slowly unfurls to unveil beguiling floral notes of candied violets and rose oil over a core of crème de cassis, blackberry pie, and plum preserves, giving way to notions of licorice, Indian spices, iron ore, and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with taut, muscular black fruit layers, intertwined with gorgeous floral and exotic spice accents, and framed by firm, finely grained tannins with seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral-laced. Tightly coiled with so much latent energy waiting to explode, this is a spectacular expression of the vintage and Napanook vineyard. Still tightly coiled, give it a good 6-7 years in the cellar before broaching, and allow it a few hours in a decanter if consumed before 2032. Drink 2025-2043.”

98 points James Suckling “Lots of crushed stone, lead pencil and licorice aromas that are extremely aromatic and bright. Black cherries, cloves and purple fruit, too. Full body and a round and ripe center-palate with a juicy interior. It opens at the end with a savory and juicy finish. Layered and beautiful.”

98 points Wine Advocate “The 2019 Dominus is blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged in 40% new French oak. Impressively dark-hued in the glass, it yields scents of cherries and cassis on the nose—or is it black cherries and redcurrants? Subtle notes of mocha, pencil shavings and almost Graves-like earthiness wind through the concentrated, medium to full-bodied palate, giving it a sense of savory gravitas, while the finish is silky and long, leaving a lingering residue of soft tannins and mouthwatering freshness.”

98 points Vinous “Outer quote mark The 2019 Dominus is shockingly primary. A wine of tremendous density and power, the 2019 is also a wine for readers who can be patient, as it won’t be ready to drink for another 10-15 years! Dark fruit, leather, tobacco, incense, dried herbs and scorched earth lend striking complexity. The 2019 is a huge wine that needs time to come into its own. This is impressive, to say the least. (AG) 98+”