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Tasting notes
Dominus comes from the piece of the namesake property that is nearest the foothills and has a combination of deep stone and gravelly loam. 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. Matured in 40% new French oak. Deep purple. The tightest, least-giving nose of the three wines from this property (Othello and Napanook being the others). However, as it opens, it yields spice and black, brooding fruit. Super-fine tannin – dense and building. Fresh acidity that balances the tannin and brooding fruit. Needs so much more time. Quite lengthy. Oak is incredibly well integrated. (SCJ)
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Dominus is a 3,700-case blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, with 40% of the wine matured in new French oak. Black cherries and cassis lead the way, accented by scents of crushed stone and pencil shavings. It's full-bodied, rich and concentrated, dark and intense, with ample tannins, but those tannins are ripe and well-rounded without being overly soft or creamy, gliding easily into a long, mocha-tinged finish. As a whole, the wine exhibits wonderful balance, even if it will benefit from 5 or 10 years in the cellar.
Relative overripeness here, after the Promontory 2019 (which was a cooler vintage as well). Sandy tannins with a snap of savoury, black-fruited finish. Tense, tight-lipped style at present. (RH)
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. Tasted blind. Dark, lustrous purplish crimson. Slightly raw fruit on the nose that seems less ripe than most others in this tasting of top 2021 Napa Cabs. Sweet and satin-textured initially on the palate and a very drying finish. At the moment this is a collection of unrelated elements. Very youthful. But it grew in the glass to be much more impressive. Long. (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