Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
This 1991 Dominus was poured blind in Meursault and had me guessing Right Bank, perchance Cheval Blanc! Showing light signs of bricking on the rim, the bouquet unfurls gracefully with melted red fruit, cooked meat, ash and very subtle hints of hung game, all exquisitely defined. Mercurial in the glass, the aromatics seem to broaden out. The palate is beautifully balanced, with a perfect marriage of acidity, fruit concentration and harmony—a wine at that liminal point between primary and secondary phases. Quite savory, I suspected there was more Cabernet Franc in the blend than there actually is (around 10%, to the best of my knowledge). Red fruit, cigar box, touches of rosemary and sage open on long and sensual finish. With one foot in Bordeaux and the other in Napa, the 1991 captures the best of both and is at its absolute peak now.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Magnum. A really excellent wine. Rich, round and subtle with an attractive warm earthiness underneath but no suggestion of overripeness. Great balance and life. I think I underrated its longevity in the two previous notes on this wine. (JR)
Restrained and not at all typically California – very lush and round but finishes dry. Much more like a Pomerol than a Napa Valley red. Most attractive now. Sweet bloodiness plus some freshness. (JR)
Magnum. This was the single most enjoyable red wine of the day for me. One of Tim How's retirement gifts in recognition of the fact that Majestic had been acquired on Friday 13 Sep 1991, and acknowledged hugely successful vintage for Christian Moueix's venture in California. Lovely, complete and thoroughly successful. It may have looked a little skinny after a more typical blockbuster from Napa Valley but was wonderfully flattered by following the more austere charms of 1970 red Bordeaux. Really good and rich but not fat. (JR)
About the producer
Dominus Estate – the Napa property owned by Christian Moueix of Pétrus and La Fleur-Pétrus – has rapidly earned cult status.
Product details
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Red
Dry