1994 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

Christian Moueix and his talented winemaking team continue to rewrite the definition of a Napa Valley reference point wine. I have had a difficult time keeping the corks in my bottles of 1994 Dominus. Eight-thousand cases were produced from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. In this vintage, 174 days passed between bud break and the harvest, a remarkable period of time for any wine region in the world. The 1994 is a strikingly thick, compellingly rich wine with the texture of a great Pomerol, despite being made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine exhibits a dense purple color, and an incredibly fragrant nose of jammy black fruits, spice, smoke, and loamy, truffle-like scents. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, with thrilling levels of extract and richness, but no sense of heaviness or harshness. This seamless Dominus possesses no hard edges, as its acidity, tannin, and alcohol are beautifully meshed with copious quantities of ripe fruit. This wine offers early drinking, yet has the potential to last for 30+ years. (RP)

A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, the 1994 Dominus has a deep garnet-brick color. It storms out of the glass with powerful notes of plum preserves, blackcurrant jelly, stewed cherries, and dried blueberries, followed by wafts of candied violets, licorice, unsmoked cigars, and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate is completely coated with expressive black and blue fruit layers, supported by velvety tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and earthy. (LPB)