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  • Country ranking ?

    276
  • Producer ranking ?

    21
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    now to 2035
  • Food Pairing

    Grilled Beef Medallions served over Corn Pie Puree

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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The Story

Dominus is created by French winemaker Christian Moueix, who crafted the wines of Chateau Petrus (a bottle of which recently sold at auction as one of the most expensive wines ever sold). The Dominus estate owns the historic Napanook Vineyard that was the base of so many of the historic Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignons of the 1950s and 1960s. It is considered one of the finest reds of Napa Valley.

Christian Moueix’s approach to creating wines of stature and longevity in Napa’s fertile and warm climate wasn’t always as popular as it is today. It started with his search for the perfect piece of land where he could realize his dream of creating a Napa Valley Cabernet to rival the First Growths of Bordeaux. This didn’t happen overnight, in fact the entire vineyard that feeds Dominus was reorganized and replanted over the last three decades to take better advantage of the varieties, expositions and spacing that would best express this esteemed terroir. The introduction of Tod Mostero as vineyard manager and winemaker was another big step in the right direction.

Dominus Estate, Yountville, California, was established in 1983 by Christian Moueix. Situated on the famed Napanook vineyard, it was, in the 1940’s and 1950’s, the source of fruit for some of the finest Napa Valley wines. In fact, the vineyard’s history can be traced back to Napa Valley’s beginnings, when in 1838 George Yount, for whom the town of Yountville was named, first planted grapevines there. Today, this historic vineyard produces three wines: Dominus, its flagship, Napanook, and Othello.

Christian Moueix chose the name ‘Dominus’ (‘lord of the estate’ in Latin) to underscore his longstanding commitment to the land. Rooted in values of quality, stewardship, tradition and innovation, the Dominus Estate team shares a vision of producing distinctive wines that are expressive of this singular terroir.

The vineyard is entirely dry-farmed, allowing the vines to draw deeply on the land’s unique geology. The viticulture and winemaking are undertaken meticulously, with the objective of producing wines that are pure, balanced and complex. Minimal intervention and restraint throughout the process of grape berry selection, fermentation and aging preserve the character of the fruit. The resulting wines, with a tremendous potential for aging, convey the very personality of this historic vineyard.

Known for its complexity and balance, Dominus demonstrates the potential of a wine produced on exceptional terroir. Structured, seamless and perfectly integrated, Dominus is an elegant wine that improves with age.

In 1997, a winery designed by the Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron was completed. Due to strict enforcement of Napa county regulations, it is closed to the public.

To celebrate the 30th vintage of Dominus Estate, the 2013 label dons a special portrait of Christian Moueix by South African artist William Kentridge. The 2013 Dominus recalls the ‘portrait series’ of the earliest vintages (1983-1990), when noted artists depicted Christian Moueix on the labels.

In 2021, Dominus Estate received its CCOF ("California Certified Organic Farmers") certification for organic farming practices. 

VIneyards: 42 hectares (103 acres)

Soil: Gravelly and clay loam

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Winemaking:

  • Certified organic farming practices
  • Dry-farming (no irrigation)
  • Soil tillage (French plow)
  • Vine growth management adapted to the climatic conditions
  • Manual harvest ; sunny side of the vines picked a few days before the shady side.
  • Manual and optical sorting
  • Gentle pump-overs and extraction
  • 18 months in French oak barrels (40% new)

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Wine Information

DOMINUS 2006

The Dominus 2006 epitomizes the best qualities of Cabernet Sauvignon in a top terroir of Napa Valley. At first, the wine displays tremendous power. Then, it surprises by the purity of the fruit and the lingering finesse. It clearly possesses a fantastic aptitude for aging. We recommend decanting the wine prior to serving, to allow it to develop its full potential. This is especially important when serving young Dominus wines.

“When I drank Dominus 2006 in Europe recently, it confirmed what is for me the best definition of a great wine,” Christian Moueix declared. “This wine travels well. Dare I say that the 2006 vintage is our best so far.”

The 2006 blend is comprised of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. No Merlot was used in the blend this year.

Vintage Summary:

The 2006 growing season started late; bud-break was delayed by very wet and cold weather throughout winter and early spring. An exceptionally hot mid-summer season helped accelerate growth. By the end of July, when temperatures soared over 100° F on eight days, the vines had entered into a more typical cycle. Beautiful weather followed in August, with characteristic warm days and cool nights. Mid-veraison was observed on August 8. Mild temperatures throughout the months of September and October allowed for increased hang-time and favored perfect ripening.

BEGINNING DATE OF HARVEST: October 2

FINAL DATE OF HARVEST: October 26

PERCENTAGE OF NEW BARRELS: 40%

BOTTLING DATE: June 2008

9-LITER CASES PRODUCED: 6000

RELEASE DATE: June 2009

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Tasting note

color

Deep and Healthy

ending

Long, Round and Flavorful

nose

Intense, Opulent and Refined

recommend

Yes

taste

Average in Acidity, Warming, Well-Integrated, Complex, Good texture, Full-bodied, Elegant, Jammy, Vivid and Medium-Dry

Verdict

Transparent and Intelligent

Written Notes

Starting to take on the tertiary character of ripe fruit and savory components with dusty tannins. Full and round with a lovely texture and a light salty, meaty and tobacco character. Forest floor. Sweet and sour. Just opening.
W&S93
 

 

  • 96p

Auf wenig Gegenliebe stieß ausgerechnet der 2006 Dominus aus der Imperiale. Der hatte zwar eine tiefe, jugendliche Farbe und eine schöne, fleischige Nase, wirkte aber am Gaumen unnahbar und etwas flach und verschlossen. Den konnte unser Star-Sommelier nur bei denen unterbringen, die mal gerade nicht aufpassten und plötzlich wieder ein volles Glas vor sich hatten. Ergab bei mir zunächst für einen Dominus mickrige WT92. Erst tief in der Nacht konnte ich dann zusammen mit Christoph das Dominus-Wunder bestaunen. Nach wohl weit über fünf Stunden in der großen Karaffe, in der sich noch ein paar Liter befanden, blühte dieser Dominus auf. Zur fantastischen Frucht aus Schwarzkirsche und Brombeere kam eine einfach geile Fruchtsüße, die jüngere, kalifornische Boliden oft so unwiderstehlich macht, die Tannine wirkten weicher, da kamen enormer Druck und Länge am Gaumen, locker WT96. Klar, das war nicht mehr der Dominus der 80er und 90er mit der klassischen Bordeaux-Stilistik. Dominus war inzwischen voll in Kalifornien angekommen, mehr Camus als Pauillac, aber sehr faszinierend. Da hätte ich jetzt mit Christoph und seinem Vater, diesem spendablen Gastgeber, die Nacht zum Tag mach sollen, um die Entwicklung dieses Dominus bis zum Frühstück weiter zu verfolgen. Aber ich muss wohl an meiner Kondition wieder etwas arbeiten.

  • 92p
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Information

Origin

Yountville, Napa Valley
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