2005 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

“A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2005 Dominus is deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. It needs a lot of shaking to release notes of baked blackcurrants, fruitcake, and blueberry compote, plus hints of baking chocolate, licorice, dried mint, and pencil lead, plus a waft of wood smoke. The concentrated, hedonically styled, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with layers of black and blue fruit preserves, framed by wonderfully ripe, grainy tannins and well-integrated acidity, finishing very long, profound, and shimmery. (LPB)” (12/2023)

“This blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot (note that rarely is any Merlot utilized at the historic Napanook Estate in Yountville). The alcohol, by California standards, is a relatively modest 14.1%. Blending the best of French savoir faire with the brilliant fruit purity and ripeness of Napa Valley, Moueix has turned in another tour de force that seems far superior today than it did when it was first released. This is one of the vintage's greatest wines. Dense purple and youthful, with a glorious nose of earth, blackcurrants, sweet black cherries and incense, the oak is pushed way in the background, as it is in all of the Moueix wines, and the result is a wine of terroir, of great originality and authenticity. (RP)” (06/2015)

“Dark red-ruby. Knockout nose combines raspberry, plum, mocha, game, minerals and tobacco. Offers alluring Right Bank sweetness but also superb energy and definition; a lovely combination of Old World nuance and dark Napa Valley fruit. As suave and fine-grained as this wine is, it's also penetrating and gripping, stony and high-pitched. Finishes with terrific tannic spine and mineral reserve. (ST)” (05/2016)

“A quick glance at this wine may leave the impression that it is a bit too tough and tannic and not quite as rich in fruit as it could be, but a second and third look finds it unfolding and revealing ever more richness and depth. As it opens, it shows elements of dark cherries, loam, sweet cream and touch of pencil-box spice, and its layered flavors are rife with curranty fruit that powers past its considerable tannins. As in vintages past, this latest opus from Dominus is a wine meant for keeping, and eight to ten years of cellaring seems a minimum wait. *Two Stars*” (08/2008)