Dominus Estate 2017, Napa Valley

Robert Parker 97  (2014)
The 2014s, where the production of Napanook was only 2,200 cases and Dominus slightly more than the 2015 at 4,000 cases, was another early harvest, although somewhat later than 2015. The 2014 Dominus, which is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot really struts its stuff. Moueix’s belief in dry farming seems to be paying off with stronger and stronger vintages, each successive year, and the 2014 is a sexy, opulent, layered, multidimensional wine with notes of red and blackcurrant, cedar wood, tobacco leaf , spice box and licorice. The color is a dense plum/ruby/purple, much like the Napanook. This is a beauty that is already drinking gorgeously – as most 2014s are – and will continue to evolve for 25 or so years.

Christian Moueix’s Dominus Estate continues to be one of California’s leaders in turning out gorgeously elegant, complex and long-lived wines. A magnum of 1991 from my cellar tasted several weeks before I left for California was pure perfection and evidence that at 25 years old, before he had built his stunning winery, great quality was coming from this iconic vineyard. The 2015s are certainly going to be one of his all-time great vintages, rivaling 2013, 2012, 2007, 2002, 2001 and his earliest classics, such as 1994 and 1991. Production in 2015 was about 3,000 cases of Napanook and 3,800 cases of Dominus.

Vinous 96+ (2014)
The 2014 Dominus is endowed with tons of depth, power and muscle. Black cherry, plum, smoke, menthol, licorice, chocolate, dried herbs and dark spices are all pushed forward. Deep, pliant and exquisitely layered, the 2014 possesses tons of concentration and mid-palate depth. Like so many wines in this vintage, the 2014 comes across as a hybrid of 2013 and 2012. I very much like the energy and focus in this wine. This is a fabulous wine in every way. With time in the glass, the flavors gain in brightness and focus. There is certainly much to look forward to.