Ratings & Tasting Notes:

100 points The Wine Independent
Review Date: 03/2022
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. (LPB)

98 points James Suckling
Review Date: 03/2022
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
Review Date: 05/2022
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. (JC)

98 ponts Vinous
Review Date: 02/2023
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+

Cult Wines International Notes:

The Napanook vineyard has a rich history that pre-dates the Dominus Estate. In 1836, George C. Yount, the founder of Yountville, planted the first vines of the valley on this very site. The property passed through several notable hands, including John Daniel Jr., the owner of Inglenook Winery, who purchased the estate in 1946. Following Daniel’s death in 1970, his daughters, Robin Lail and Marcia Smith, inherited the vineyard and began a partnership with Christian Moueix in 1982, acting on a recommendation from Robert Mondavi. Moueix, the esteemed winemaker from the famed Château Pétrus in Bordeaux, was drawn to the vineyard’s unique gravelly, well-drained soil and microclimate, believing it was perfect for creating a world-class wine in the Bordeaux tradition. Moueix eventually became the sole owner of the estate in 1995.

Moueix’s vision for Dominus was to create a California wine that was deeply rooted in its terroir, reflecting the elegance and structure of Bordeaux. A key part of his philosophy is dry farming, a practice that forgoes irrigation to force the vines’ roots to dig deep into the soil for water, concentrating the flavors in the grapes. This practice is relatively rare in Napa Valley, but it defines the style of Dominus wines.

The flagship wine is Dominus, a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend that is celebrated for its complexity, balance, and aging potential. The estate also produces Napanook, the second wine, which offers a more approachable and earlier-drinking expression of the vineyard. Today, Dominus Estate stands as a bridge between the winemaking traditions of the Old World and the New World, producing wines that are among the most sought-after in California.

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.