1984 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

The 1984 vintage of Dominus was the first ever to be released by the estate, as Christian Moueix properly judged that the tighter and more structured 1983, which was the first wine actually vinified at the property, would do well with a bit more bottle age in the cellars prior to release, so the 1984 was the first vintage of Dominus to find its way to market. I have always loved this vintage of Dominus and this most recent bottle was absolutely singing, offering up a deep and classy bouquet of red and black cherries, a touch of menthol, cigar smoke, a beautifully complex base of Rutherford soil, fresh herb tones and a judicious base of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, complex and tangy, with a fine core, still a fair bit of tannin left and superb complexity and grip on the very long and impressive finish. One of the finest vintages of Dominus from the first decade of the winery’s existence and still with tons and tons of life ahead of it.

I have been fooled by this wine in blind tastings, mistaking it for a top Pomerol, although there is an insignificant percentage of Merlot in the blend. The complex bouquet of ripe, curranty fruit, coffee, and sweet black cherries has become increasingly complex and intense. Full-bodied, opulent, and soft, this fleshy wine appears to have reached an attractive plateau of maturity. (RP)