Ratings & Tasting Notes:
100 points Wine Advocate
Review Date: 10/2013
Composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, the stunning, full-bodied 2010 Dominus boasts an exceptional perfume of hoisin sauce, licorice, underbrush, forest floor, plums, black currants and jammy cherries intertwined with hints of cedar, baking spices and oak. Full-bodied and voluptuously textured, the 2010 is on a slightly faster evolutionary track than the 2009 (somewhat of an anomaly for these two vintages). Bravo! (RP)
99 points James Suckling
Review Date: 06/2014
A Cabernet-based red that’s all about the finish. Shows phenomenal character of caramelised orange, berries and lightly toasted oak. It’s also wonderfully structured, with great tannin, fruit, and acid balance.
98 points Vinous
Review Date: 06/2015
The 2010 Dominus is one of the unquestioned stars of the evening. While some of the 2010s can be enjoyed young, Dominus is a powerhouse that will require a number of years to soften. It is a bit of a shame the 2010 is served early in this dinner, as it is truly magnificent. Tasted over several hours and into the next day, the 2010 only continued to grow. A wine of baritone-like depth and explosive structure, the Dominus is a long-distance runner. On this night it is dark, imposing and totally vertical in its sense of structure. The firm tannins beg for patience. Today, my impression is that Dominus will be one of the last 2010s to open up. (AG) 98+
Cult Wines International Notes:
The 2010 Dominus is a masterpiece of precision and power, hailing from a unique and challenging Napa Valley vintage that favored producers with meticulous vineyard management. Following a cool and wet spring, the 2010 growing season was marked by erratic weather, including a record-breaking heatwave in late August that significantly reduced yields for Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As a result, this vintage is a rare blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, completely omitting Cabernet Franc. This specific composition, combined with the season’s long, cool finish, yielded a wine with extraordinary concentration, vibrant acidity, and a chiseled structure that distinguishes it from the plusher 2009 vintage. It stands as a “long-distance runner” for the estate, famously earning a perfect 100-point score from several critics upon release.
On the sensory front, the 2010 Dominus offers a profound and complex bouquet that bridges the gap between California opulence and Bordeaux-like earthiness. It opens with an exceptional perfume of black cherries, plums, and crème de cassis, layered with savory notes of hoisin sauce, licorice, forest floor, and a distinct touch of graphite and sandalwood. The palate is full-bodied and voluptuously textured, yet it maintains an “uncanny precision” with fine-grained, fully ripe tannins and a refreshing lift. The finish is remarkably persistent, leaving lingering impressions of caramelized orange peel, cocoa, and cedar. While it is entering a beautiful window of maturity now, its impeccable balance and “stony” mineral core suggest it will continue to evolve effortlessly through 2040 and beyond.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.
Outstanding condition.
