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Dominus Estate 1983-1992
The 1983 Dominus Estate is the first vintage produced by the John Daniel Society made solely from grapes grown at their Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, California. When the 1983 growing season produced wines with slow-aging tannins, the partners broke with tradition and offered the 1984 vintage as their first release. After a year of additional bottle age, the 1983 Dominus Estate was released in February, 1989.
The wine is composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. The 1983 growing season was quite warm, with a very hot September, resulting in extraordinary concentration of aroma, flavor and tannin.
The 1983 Dominus Estate has a dark ruby color, a complex nose and rich notions of cassis. The wine is full bodied with a deep tannic structure that will assure it many more years of life. Christian Moueix recommends decanting this wine before serving to allow it to develop its full potential.
The label artist for 1983 was Sam Szafran, born in Paris in 1934, and known for his work with pastels.
Vintage Summary:
The Napa Valley experienced an extremely rainy winter (69.7 inches vs. 35.68 inches average), followed by a moderately hot summer and a very hot September. Ten days in September were over 97 degrees, resulting in rapid maturation; sugars went from 21.3 on 9/10 to 22.8 on 9/14.
1983 Tasting Note: Mature but still plenty of youth on the color. Unique nose. Very vegetal and swampy. Less maturity than the next four oldest. Good brett on the nose. Flavours of bacon. A little bit of tannin on the finish. Full on the finish. Incredibly interesting. Beautiful texture, long, silky, great flavors. My favorite of the first five wines tasted from oldest to youngest.
The 1984 Dominus Estate is the second vintage produced by the John Daniel Society solely from Bordeaux varieties grown at Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, California. Specific vineyard blocks were selected just before picking, an annual practice that ensures that only the highest quality fruit is used in making Dominus Estate. The 1984 vintage is composed of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot.
The 1984 Dominus Estate has a beautiful deep ruby color and a spicy nose with light cassis notes. It is a rich, fleshy wine with tannins that are already beginning to soften. Christian Moueix recommends decanting an hour before serving to allow the full potential to show.
The portrait for the 1984 Dominus Estate label was done by contemporary American artist Larry Rivers.
Vintage Summary:
Although winter rainfall was just shy of normal (35.68 inches), 25 inches fell in November and December. May, June and August were moderate in temperature, but July and September were extremely hot, of 20 days over 100 degrees, six were in July and eight in September.
1984 Tasting Note: More mature looking than the 1983. Very mature. This bottle had slightly noticeable TCA and brett on the nose but I was still able to enjoy the wine. On the palate it was mature, attractive weight and balance. Good sweet long finish. Slight TCA but still attractive. This was 75% Cabernet Sauvignon. My least favorite of the first five.
The 1985 Dominus Estate is produced solely from Bordeaux varieties grown at Napanook Vineyard, creating the most harmonious and complex wine of the “first stage” of Dominus Estate — the 1983, 1984 and 1985 vintages were blended from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes grown on the property when we took over management.
The 1985 vintage is composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. The climatic conditions of the 1985 season were moderate, and the final weeks of ripening were cool by California standards, resulting in gradual ripening and intensely flavored fruit with a mature tannic development. The 1985 Dominus Estate has a deep ruby color and a rich nose reminiscent of black cherries. It is a full-bodied wine with ripe tannins that are just beginning to soften. Christian Moueix recommends decanting before serving to allow the wine to develop its full potential.
The label artist for 1985 is Gerard Barthelemy, a French artist born in Paris in 1938. Mr. Barthelemy received the Prix de Rome in 1966 and has had extensive exhibits in France. The present portrait was done with the ancient walnut stain technique.
Vintage Summary:
Winter rainfall was slightly below normal (27.95 inches vs. 35.68 inches), but 10 inches of rain in February and March provided good moisture for the growing season. The season began with a mild April and May, followed by a hot June and July. August was mild and most of September was cool. We received 1/2″ of rain on September 8 & 9 and temperatures were in the high 70’s and low 80’s until it reached 84 on 9/20, 90 on 9/21 and 95 on 9/22.
1985 Tasting Note: Similar appearance to the 1986. Sweet, mature nose with great length. No tannins showing. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon. Very good concentration and quality. Better balanced than the 1984. Sweet fruit, good length, not showing any signs of decay. 2nd best wine of the first 5.
The 1986 Dominus Estate is the fourth vintage produced by the John Daniel Society, and, as always, the grapes for this wine were grown solely at Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, California. This vintage marks the first of the “second series” of Dominus Estate — the 1986, 1987, and 1988 vintages use Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the blend, which introduces a floral, herbal character and added complexity.
The varietal composition of the 1986 Dominus Estate is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Merlot. The 1986 growing season was marked by very high winter rainfall and an unusually cool summer, which made the timing of harvest crucial to ensure full maturity. The 1986 Dominus Estate has a deep ruby color and a rich nose reminiscent of ripe cherries, with elegance, finesse and excellent balance. Christian Moueix recommends decanting this wine before serving to allow it to develop its full potential.
The label artist for the 1986 vintage is the well-known American artist Jim Dine.
Vintage Summary:
Seasonal rainfall was 53.93 inches vs. 35.68 inches normal. We had heavy rainfall and flooding in February. Summer was very cool with only three days over 100 degrees (two of these were in June), and only nine days over 95 degrees.
1986 Tasting Note: More intensity than the 1987. Leaner than the 1987 and less maturity on the nose. Good mouth filling fruit. Less tannin than the 1987 and better balanced but less mature. Ranked 4th out of the oldest 5.
The 1987 Dominus Estate is the fifth vintage produced by the John Daniel Society made solely from grapes grown at their Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, California. The blend of the 1987 Dominus Estate is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot. Winter rainfall for the 1987 season was 50% of average. The very warm early summer and moderate late summer resulted in fruit with fully developed varietal character and excellent acid balance.
Note: with almost the identical blend as 1986, we have a completely different wine–proof that classical winemaking, i.e., single vineyard, non intervening winemaking, and no acidification allows the vintage to express itself through the wine. The 1987 Dominus Estate has a deep ruby color and a rich nose reminiscent of cassis and vanilla, with a silky texture, excellent balance and a long elegant finish. Christian Moueix recommends decanting this wine before serving to allow it to develop its full potential.
The label portrait for the 1987 vintage was done by the Israeli artist Avigdor Arikha.
Vintage Summary:
Seasonal rainfall was quite low at 18.85 inches (normal 35.68 inches); 10 inches in February and March, which is almost identical to the rainfall pattern of 1985. A very warm early summer was followed by a moderate late summer. There were 16 days over 100 degrees and 26 days over 95 degrees.
1987 Tasting Note: Very similar colour to the 1986. Lovely mature nose with good leather aromas, excellent acidity, peppery and bell peppery. Tannic on the aftertaste. Elegant and well balanced with the alcohol. Medium mature fruit. Sweeter than the 1986.
The 1988 Dominus Estate is the sixth vintage produced by the John Daniel Society from grapes grown solely in the international company’s Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, California.
The 1988 growing season was complicated by rain during bloom, which affected the evenness of maturity at harvest. It was necessary to make very severe selections both in the vineyard and in the winery to produce a wine of Dominus quality. The result — 3,300 cases of elegant wine showing excellent balance and concentration of fruit — represented half of the potential production.
The 1988 Dominus Estate has a deep ruby color and a rich nose reminiscent of cassis, cedar and tea. The wine is soft and spicy in the mouth, with an elegant finish of subtle vanilla and cedar. Christian Moueix recommends decanting this wine before serving to allow it to develop its full potential.
The label portrait for the 1988 vintage was done by the English artist, Peter Blake. Born in 1932 and currently residing in London, Mr. Blake became famous as a leader of Pop Art in Europe. His works are displayed in major museums throughout the world.
Vintage Summary:
Seasonal rainfall was 26.87 inches (average 35.68). May was the wettest month with .84 inches, followed by .46 inches in June and .49 inches in September. Altogether, it was a strange growing season characterized by an interrupted bloom that gave a large variability at harvest.
1988 Tasting Note: Intense appearance. Good depth and weight on the nose. Tannic and big texture and weight but thin and lacking maturity. Ranked 5th in my second flight.
The 1989 Dominus Estate is the seventh vintage produced by the John Daniel Society made solely from grapes grown on the international company’s Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, California.
The 1989 vintage is the first wine of the latest phase of Dominus Estate — nature leads us, and we listen. Since Cabernet Franc did not improve the blend, it was not used. This blend includes Petit Verdot for the first time, as well as a special selection of Merlot. The 1989 Dominus Estate has a deep ruby color and a rich, complex nose reminiscent of cassis, violets and vanilla. The wine is velvety and full in the mouth, with an elegant and long finish of rich fruit and violets. Christian Moueix recommends decanting this wine before serving to allow it to fully develop its full potential.
The label portrait for the 1989 vintage was done by the English artist Raymond Mason. Mr. Mason was born in 1922 and currently resides in Paris. He is primarily a sculptor, but is also known for his water colors of vineyard landscapes. His large compositions are displayed in London, Birmingham, Paris, Montreal, New York and Washington.
Vintage Summary:
We received 22.69 inches of rain (35.68 average) for the season. The year was moderate to warm with some concern due to warm weather at set and some scorching of fruit that ended up not being significant. The big story was rainfall during harvest. On 9/16 and 9/17, we received 1.4 inches of rain; we did not resume harvest until the 25th. Then, on 9/29 with only 40 tons left to pick, we received 0.25 inches of rain; we did not resume picking until 10/6. Our European experience helped us to wait and regain excellent concentration and intensity even under these difficult conditions.
1989 tasting Note: Very interesting color and good depth. Sweet fruit and lean on the nose. Good weight and mouth feel. Medium maturity. Not showing any signs of age. My 2nd rank in this flight.
In 1990 August and September were neither too hot, nor too cool, and this allowed the fruit to ripen slowly and fully, with well-balanced acid and mature tannins. Although the latter part of the season is normally thought of as the most crucial to the vintage, it is the rain of late May that remains the most significant event in the vineyard for the 1990 season.The relatively low yields, coupled with the moderate temperatures of late summer, translated into concentrated, yet elegant wines. For the first time in the history of Dominus, all four varietal components – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot – were included in the final blend.
The 1990 Dominus has a deep ruby color. In the nose, aromas of roasted coffee beans and vanilla overlay the ripe blackberry fruit. These aromas are echoed in the mouth, and sweet, round tannins are apparent in the wine’s lingering finish.
Please decant this wine before serving, to allow it to reach its full potential.
Vintage Summary:
The 1990 growing season at Napanook Vineyard appeared to be headed toward drought as the month of May began. We had seen the first rainless December in this century and only 18 inches of rain had fallen since the previous July. This was not enough to sustain even the low crops of this renowned dry-farmed vineyard. Typically in the Napa Valley, if the rain has not come by mid-April, it will not come at all. However, in 1990, between the dates of May 20th and 30th, close to 4 inches of rain fell. At the time there was widespread concern about the effect that the rainfall would have on the vines that were in bloom and the potential for mildew, but in fact this spring storm saved the vintage. It provided the moisture that the vineyard needed to sustain it through the long growing season, and had the added benefit of naturally thinning the crop and thus increasing intensity.
1990 Tasting Note: Intense. Lighter than the 1991 and more ruby color. Sweet, elegant and lean on the nose. Leaner and more tannic than the 1991. Too tannic. Not enough fruit. My 4th ranked wine in this flight.
The 1991 Dominus is the most harmonious and elegant wine to be released by the Dominus winery in the first decade of its existence.
All Dominus wines to date, including the 1991, originate solely from the Bordeaux varieties grown at Napanook Vineyard. The 1991 is composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by 19% Cabernet Franc and a small amount of Petit Verdot. The 1991 Dominus has a deep ruby color, and possesses extraordinary intensity and balance, as well as phenomenal richness and fruit. The wine exhibits silky tannins with a full-bodied palate and an elegant, long finish. As with all Dominus wines, Christian Moueix recommends decanting this wine prior to serving, in order to allow it to develop to its full potential.
The new Dominus label, christened with the 1991 vintage, was created by a French designer.
Vintage Summary:
We received 26.5 inches of rain (normal 35.68). Initially the season was of concern due to the late bloom, veraison and harvest. As it turned out, the 1991 season was an example of where the added time on the vines was indeed positive. The 1991 growing season was one of the longest on record in the Napa Valley, producing a fruit of extraordinary quality.
The 1991 Dominus is the most harmonious and elegant wine to be released by the Dominus winery in the first decade of its existence.
All Dominus wines to date, including the 1991, originate solely from the Bordeaux varieties grown at Napanook Vineyard. The 1991 is composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by 19% Cabernet Franc and a small amount of Petit Verdot.
The 1991 Dominus has a deep ruby color, and possesses extraordinary intensity and balance, as well as phenomenal richness and fruit. The wine exhibits silky tannins with a full-bodied palate and an elegant, long finish. As with all Dominus wines, Christian Moueix recommends decanting this wine prior to serving, in order to allow it to develop to its full potential.
The new Dominus label, christened with the 1991 vintage, was created by a French designer.
Vintage Summary:
We received 26.5 inches of rain (normal 35.68). Initially the season was of concern due to the late bloom, veraison and harvest. As it turned out, the 1991 season was an example of where the added time on the vines was indeed positive. The 1991 growing season was one of the longest on record in the Napa Valley, producing a fruit of extraordinary quality.
1991 Tasting Note: The deepest of this flight. Intense. Nose; much less intense and less pronounced than the 1992. Less complex nose. Attractive palate. Medium weight. Good length. Fleshy and full. More mature than the 1992. My 3rd rank for this flight.
1992 is the tenth vintage of Dominus produced by Christian Moueix at the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, California.
While previous vintages have been predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, the 1992 contains increased percentages — nearly 20% each — of both Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with a touch of Petit Verdot. Production was 6,000 cases, bottled in June, 1994. The 1992 Dominus has a deeply saturated color and a forward, ripe, fruity nose, with a touch of violets. Typically Dominus in style, this vintage is round, lush and elegant, with a soft, fleshy texture. As with all Dominus wines, we recommend decanting this wine prior to serving, in order to allow it to develop to its full potential.
The Dominus label, christened with the 1991 vintage, is now the permanent label for Dominus.
Vintage Summary:
The 1992 growing season was one of above average warmth, following a relatively dry winter. Steady warm weather during August and September advanced grape maturity, resulting in an earlier than normal harvest.
1992 Tasting Note: Youthful and medium depth. Glorious nose, extremely elegant. Rich & sweet, very good depth on nose. Palate; lovely wine, full flavors, rich, big, good weight ad length. Lovely soft flesh. My #1 in this flight.
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