Dominus Estate 2013 Library Release (750ML)

100 WI / 100 RP / 100 AG / 100 JS

A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot, the 2013 Dominus is deep garnet in color. It needs a fair bit of swirling to bring out notes of black cherry preserves, crème de cassis, and blueberry jam, plus suggestions of mocha, cardamom, and fertile loam, with a hint of truffles. Full-bodied, the palate is still so, so tight, revealing tightly wound layers of black fruit, minerals, and spices, supported by a firm, grainy backbone, finishing with epic length. It still needs a good 5 years! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

The 2013 Dominus is, to my way of thinking, one of the most profound wines Christian Mieux has yet made in his rather brilliant winemaking history, both in France and in Napa Valley. This wine, with very low yields of only 3,500 cases and a final blend of 89% cabernet sauvignon, 7% petit verdot and 4% cabernet franc, offers up notes of cedar wood, forest floor, loamy soil and oodles of blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. Very opaque purple in color, super-pure and intense, this wine has low acidity, but ripe, noticeable tannins. This is a 30- to 40-year wine and a profound effort from this famous vineyard in Yountville. Drink it over the next 40+ years. - Robert Parker. The Wine Advocate

The 2013 Dominus overwhelms all the senses with its magnificent overall balance and towering intensity. Deep and nearly impenetrable in the glass, the 2013 boasts off the charts dry extract and overall power. Violets, smoke, black cherries, menthol, incense, cr¬me de cassis and dark spices are some of the many signatures that take shape in the glass. Even better in bottle than it was in barrel, the 2013 is utterly magnificent. This is a remarkably vivid, nuanced wine considering its sheer size.Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The aromas to this are multidimensional and fascinating with black truffles, bark, cloves, black currants and citrus - even ginseng. Full-bodied, yet reserved, even austere, with chewy and powerful tannins that remain polished and refined. The flavors are more umami and savory. Then there's forest fruits and red orange undertones. It lasts for minutes. A wine to age for a lifetime. It's an experience to taste this. A new classic showing its history and tradition as a source of the greatest wines ever from Napa. A wine to always enjoy. - James Suckling