Producer Profile
Dominus Estate is a California wine estate owned by Christian Moueix, producing Bordeaux style blends,. The winery is located in Yountville within the Napa Valley AVA and was first planted with vines in 1836 by George C. Yount in the Napanook vineyard.
Christian Moueix, who is also in charge of production at Chateau Petrus, first became involved as a partner in 1982, then in 1995 took over full ownership. In 1996, Napanook, the estate’s second wine, was first released and the same year a new winery was built.
The annual production is 7,500 to 12,000 cases which includes both Dominus and Napanook.
Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 92
The 2010 Napanook (98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot) reveals a pungent, spicy, earthy, slightly herbal nose, and an exuberant mouthfeel with lots of plum, licorice, red and black currants and a hint of sweet cherries. The wine is slightly more in-your-face and aggressive than most Napanooks, but I enjoyed its exuberant style. Drink this beautiful 2010 over the next 12-15 years. Looking at the harvest dates for the 2009 through 2012 Napanook and Dominus reveals that none of these were early, very warm years, such as 2013 is promising to be in northern California. For example, in 2009 the harvest took place between October 5 and 12; 2010 between October 4 and 23; 2011 between October 15 and 24; and 2012 between October 9 and 21. Production has remained steady because the estate crop-thins as much as 50% of the harvest to ensure bunch regularity, even ripening and reasonable yields. The second wine, Napanook, tends to come in around 3,000 cases per year, and Dominus around 5,000 cases per year. I was joking with Christian Moueix when I visited the winery and I told him I am one of the geezers old enough to remember his first vintage of 1983, which was tasted at the Rombauer Cellars until he moved to what appears to be an old bank building in downtown St. Helena, after which they constructed a spectacular winery in Yountville that resembles an extension of their historic terroir. Another great vintage, the 2012s have slightly lower alcohols than the 2009s and 2010s, which surprised me given the exuberant nature of this vintage and its boisterous fruit and glycerin. I was shocked to realize that 2013 will mark over thirty vintages for Christian Moueix and Dominus, not to mention my visits each year. How time flies! Tel. (707) 944-8954 [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 31/10/2013]
Anticipated maturity: 2013-2028
Vinous 94
Dark red cherry, plum, spice, wild flowers and mint jump from the glass in the 2010 Napanook. Layered and totally sensual, the 2010 impresses for its balance. With time in the glass, the wine blossoms beautifully, filling out its frame with impeccable grace. Beams of minerality and acidity support the powerful, salivating finish. The 2010 Napanook is one of the wines of the vintage in its price range. The 2010 is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. The absence of Cabernet Franc and Merlot gives the 2010 much of its unique, compelling personality. [Antonio Galloni, 11/01/2013]
Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030
