2021 Dominus Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Double 100 Pointer!
Dominus Estate's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is nothing short of iconic, earning back-to-back 100-point scores that solidify its place among the best vintages Napa has ever seen. Crafted under the masterful eye of Christian Moueix, this powerhouse blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc is drenched in layers of blackcurrant, crushed stone, and cedar, with whispers of violets and licorice. The tannins are rich and muscular, ready to age for decades. A rare achievement in Napa’s winemaking history, this double 100-pointer is a treasure to be savored for generations.
Christian Moueix, whose family owns Château Pétrus in Pomerol, fell in love with Napa Valley during the late 1960s while attending UC Davis. In 1982, he partnered with Robin Lail and Marcia Smith, daughters of legendary Inglenook owner/winemaker John Daniel, to create Dominus Estate on the site of the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville. This was the only portion of the old Inglenook estate retained by the Daniel family after Inglenook was sold in 1964. The first vintage was 1983 and since then, Moueix has painstakingly restored the original vineyard - first planted in 1836 by pioneer George Yount - which now totals 108 dry-farmed acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
100 points from Jeb Dunnuck
One of the legendary Dominus, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is unquestionably in the same league as the 2018, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2010, and 1991, and to my mind, wine simply doesn't get any better. Sporting a dense purple hue as well as an incredible perfume of blackcurrants, crushed stone, cedar pencil, smoke tobacco, and baking spices, it s rich, full-bodied, and voluptuously textured, with ripe yet building tannins. It reminds me slightly of the 2010 (maybe the 2013), and I suspect it will have a similar evolution. Hide bottles for 7-8 years, and it will evolve gracefully for 30+ years. Hats off to the team of Christian Moueix and director Tod Mostero.
100 points from The Wine Independent
The 2021 Dominus, 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, is opaque purple-black in color. It needs a lot of coaxing to lure out scents of freshly crushed blackcurrants, blackberry preserves, stewed plums, and boysenberries giving way to subtle nuances of violets, licorice, and tar plus a touch of cedar in the background. The full-bodied palate is taut with densely laden, muscular black fruits framed by a firm grainy texture and well-played tension, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. A stunning vinous record of time and place, this is a 50-year+ Napa Cabernet to be experienced across generations.
99 points from James Suckling
The purity of the cabernet fruit is so enticing, with blackcurrant, rose petals, nettles and subtle graphite. Touches of terra cotta and licorice. Full-bodied with super integrated tannins that are wonderfully polished, giving a cashmere texture that is really luxurious to taste at this early stage. It is quenching and so delicious already. 95% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. Needs three to four years to come around but already a joy to taste.