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1991 Dominus
99 RP
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Review
As for the 1991, 6,500 cases were produced of this potentially perfect wine. While this vintage of Dominus contains no Merlot in the blend, every time I taste it I am reminded of a great vintage of Petrus such as 1982, 1989 or 1990. Although different, the 1991 Dominus possesses extraordinary intensity, remarkable opulence, and amazing fruit extraction, all welded to a full-bodied structure. The wine's sensational purity and inner-core of depth must be tasted to be believed. The 1991 will be approachable young because of its sweet tannin, yet it exhibits the potential to last for 25 years. Perhaps 1994 will rival it, but for now, the 1991 is unquestionably the greatest Dominus, as well as a potential legend in the making. Robert Parker
Robert Parker | 99 RP
Critic Reviews
One of the first Napa wines that I fell in love with and still going strong at almost 30 years old, with a good long while ahead of it still. This is delicate yet powerful, a wine that just gets better and better in the glass, showing off the black truffle and undergrowth flavours of a fully mature wine with melted tannins, leather, saffron and rich blackberries. It’s intense and balanced, still opulent and sexy. 40% new oak. Harvest in 1991 was October 6 to 18, but even so they harvested a little earlier in those days than they do today. Dominus is in the Yountville AVA (which was granted in 1999) but in 1991 still Napa Valley AVA. Drinking Window 2019 - 2040.
Decanter | 100 DEC
As for the 1991, 6,500 cases were produced of this potentially perfect wine. While this vintage of Dominus contains no Merlot in the blend, every time I taste it I am reminded of a great vintage of Petrus such as 1982, 1989 or 1990. Although different, the 1991 Dominus possesses extraordinary intensity, remarkable opulence, and amazing fruit extraction, all welded to a full-bodied structure. The wine’s sensational purity and inner-core of depth must be tasted to be believed. The 1991 will be approachable young because of its sweet tannin, yet it exhibits the potential to last for 25 years. Perhaps 1994 will rival it, but for now, the 1991 is unquestionably the greatest Dominus, as well as a potential legend in the making.
Robert Parker | 99 RP
(Dominus (Napa Valley)) It had been more than six years since I last had the pleasure to drink a bottle of the 1991 Dominus, but this bottle popped up at a mixed lineup of wines that included such items as 1978 Trapet Chambertin and 1975 Latour à Pomerol and the wine held its own very well indeed. The bouquet is deep, refined and very polished, wafting from the glass in a blend of black cherries, cassis, salty soil tones, cigar wrapper and new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and fairly complex, with a ripe core of fruit, melting tannin and fine length and grip on the wide open and à point finish. This is a very high quality vintage of Dominus. (Drink between 2016-2040)
John Gilman | 94 JG
Healthy deep medium red. Musky plum, cherry jam, spices and chocolate on the nose, complicated by hints of leather, mocha and truffle. Utterly refined, sophisticated wine with the complex soil-driven animal and vegetable notes of a great mature Bordeaux. Distinctly wild but also wonderfully silky and seamless, this midweight wine is a clear standout from the early years of this winery. Evolving very slowly but à point right now. Finishes very subtle and long, with a firm dusting of tannins and surprising structure and grip. Classically dry, showing lovely life in the mouth and lift on the back end, but this is about as far from primary Napa Valley fruit as a Napa wine can be. (13.5% alcohol)
Vinous Media | 94 VM
Wonderful complexity and youthfulness, from the initial aromatics to the follow-through on the finish. Serves up a mix of complex currant, tobacco, earth, brick, mineral and cedary tobacco. Holds its focus and finishes with a long aftertaste without being too heavy or tannic.--’81/’91 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2009. 6,500 cases made.
Wine Spectator | 93 WS
Decanter | 100 DEC
As for the 1991, 6,500 cases were produced of this potentially perfect wine. While this vintage of Dominus contains no Merlot in the blend, every time I taste it I am reminded of a great vintage of Petrus such as 1982, 1989 or 1990. Although different, the 1991 Dominus possesses extraordinary intensity, remarkable opulence, and amazing fruit extraction, all welded to a full-bodied structure. The wine’s sensational purity and inner-core of depth must be tasted to be believed. The 1991 will be approachable young because of its sweet tannin, yet it exhibits the potential to last for 25 years. Perhaps 1994 will rival it, but for now, the 1991 is unquestionably the greatest Dominus, as well as a potential legend in the making.
Robert Parker | 99 RP
(Dominus (Napa Valley)) It had been more than six years since I last had the pleasure to drink a bottle of the 1991 Dominus, but this bottle popped up at a mixed lineup of wines that included such items as 1978 Trapet Chambertin and 1975 Latour à Pomerol and the wine held its own very well indeed. The bouquet is deep, refined and very polished, wafting from the glass in a blend of black cherries, cassis, salty soil tones, cigar wrapper and new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and fairly complex, with a ripe core of fruit, melting tannin and fine length and grip on the wide open and à point finish. This is a very high quality vintage of Dominus. (Drink between 2016-2040)
John Gilman | 94 JG
Healthy deep medium red. Musky plum, cherry jam, spices and chocolate on the nose, complicated by hints of leather, mocha and truffle. Utterly refined, sophisticated wine with the complex soil-driven animal and vegetable notes of a great mature Bordeaux. Distinctly wild but also wonderfully silky and seamless, this midweight wine is a clear standout from the early years of this winery. Evolving very slowly but à point right now. Finishes very subtle and long, with a firm dusting of tannins and surprising structure and grip. Classically dry, showing lovely life in the mouth and lift on the back end, but this is about as far from primary Napa Valley fruit as a Napa wine can be. (13.5% alcohol)
Vinous Media | 94 VM
Wonderful complexity and youthfulness, from the initial aromatics to the follow-through on the finish. Serves up a mix of complex currant, tobacco, earth, brick, mineral and cedary tobacco. Holds its focus and finishes with a long aftertaste without being too heavy or tannic.--’81/’91 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2009. 6,500 cases made.
Wine Spectator | 93 WS
Wine Details for 1991 Dominus
| Type of Wine |
California Red
: Whether it's Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Zinfandel, Californian red wine producers have a lovely habit of taking a varietal and expressing its essence in a unique, never before seen way. From Napa Valley to the regions south of Los Angeles, there's a red for everyone - and it's never too late to start exploring. |
|---|---|
| Varietal |
Proprietary Blend
: Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend. |
| Country |
US
: As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants. |
| Region |
California
: With a history of wine production that dates back to the 18th century, California currently sits as one of the world's most prolific and reputable wine regions. With an area as vast as California, you can expect a colorful collage of terroir profiles, a series of microclimates, and micro-environments that give the wine a unique, memorable appeal. The region's produce is far from homogenized in that sense, and it would take you countless hours to sample all of it. While the region boasts scars from the Prohibition era, it went through what can only be described as a viticultural Renaissance sometime after the 1960s. At that point, California went from a port-style, sweet wine region to a versatile and compelling competitor on the world market. Today, no matter which way your taste in wine leans, you can find a new favorite producer among California's most talented. Notable sub-regions include legendary names like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, places that any wine lover would die to visit. California's quintessential warm climate allows for incredibly ripe fruit expressions, a style that provides a stark contrast to Old World-inspired, earthy classics. Even where inspiration was clearly taken from staple French appellations, Californian winemakers put their own unique spin on the wine. |
| Subregion | Napa Valley |
| Appellation | Yountville |
| Climat/Vineyard | Napanook Vineyard |
Overview
| Producer |
Dominus
: With an Estate motto, “Napa terroir, Bordeaux spirit,” it’s safe to assume that Dominus is where Old World crashes into New World winemaking. The saying is fitting as there is a rich history in both the 103-acre vineyard West of Yountville, as well as the proprietor who has a deep family tradition of winemaking in Bordeaux. The site that had been the source of fruit for some of the finest Napa Valley wines of the 1940’s and 1950’s has become a Napa Valley giant with the power, style and finesse of a classic Bordeaux. The historic Napanook Vineyard dates back to the 1850’s when the land was first cultivated. Many vintners’ hands have been in the soil here, but it most notably became of incredible quality in the 1940’s when Inglenook enjoyed great success in Napanook. John Daniel, a well-known vintner and pioneer in Napa, purchased the property in 1946 and the fruit from Napanook was integral to Inglenook wines between 1946 and 1964. Inglenook sold, but the Napanook Vineyard was retained and ultimately handed down to his daughters, Robin Lail and Marsha Smith. During this time, a young Christian Moueix, who had been studying Oenology at Davis had fallen in love with California. With an already impressive resume and family heritage of wine making, Moueix, mostly due to his work in Pomerol and family Chateaux of Petrus, Trotanoy, and La Fleur Petrus, began working at Beaulieu Vineyards in an attempt to learn more about viticulture practices in the Golden State. In 1982, through an introduction via Robert Mondavi, Moueix and the daughters of John Daniel come into a partnership and Dominus bottled its first vintage in 1983. By 1995 Moueix had become the sole proprietor. Moueix chose the name Dominus or “Lord of the Estate” in Latin, to underscore his longstanding commitment to stewardship of the land. The property consists of 3 unique soil types; gravel based volcanic soil, clay and loam on a rolling terroir. The vineyard is dry-farmed allowing the vines to draw deeply on the land’s unique geology. Moueix is meticulous in his viticulture and winemaking strategy, with the objective of producing wines that are pure, balanced and complex. His minimal intervention and restraint throughout the process of grape berry selection and fermentation preserves the fruit. This results in tremendous potential for aging, and for conveying the personality of the historic vineyard. Both the Flagship, Dominus Estate and the Napanook second wine are primarily comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to round out a well-balanced Bordeaux styled wine bred in the soil of Napa Valley. While the flagship certainly has potential to age 20 plus years, the Napanook has earned its own personality known for its ability to drink early and being food friendly. It too however, over the years has developed into a more complex wine earning the potential of aging at least 10 years. Between the two bottlings there is an annual production rate of 12,000 cases, though the flagship rarely produces over 5,000 of those cases due to a strict and diligent picking process. Christian Moueix, “The Lord of the Estate,” over a well committed period of time has developed one of Napa’s greatest Estates. Hailing from California, having roots in France, Dominus Estate has risen to the forefront of Napa Valley. This clashing of New and Old World winemaking has created a unique niche and one that collectors and enthusiasts have become elated over. Napa terroir, Bordeaux Spirit… how can there be a more accurate depiction of this incredible Estate. |
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