A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot, the 2014 Dominus is deep garnet in color. It waltzes out with flamboyant notes of blackcurrant jelly, baked plums, and boysenberry preserves, leading to suggestions of menthol, cast-iron pan, smoked meats, and cloves. The full-bodied palate is dense, muscular, and still very youthful, framed by ripe, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy. (LPB)

Coming from their valley floor site in Yountville, the 2014 Dominus is a rich, concentrated red, especially in 2014. It sports a deep ruby/plum color as well as a ripe nose of blackcurrants, unsmoked tobacco, lead pencil, licorice and smoked earth. With a ripe, full-bodied, concentrated style, sweet tannin, and a great finish, it has some similarities to the 1990 and will evolve for three decades or more.

The 2014s, where the production of Napanook was only 2,200 cases and Dominus slightly more than the 2015 at 4,000 cases, was another early harvest, although somewhat later than 2015. The 2014 Dominus, which is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot really struts its stuff. Moueix’s belief in dry farming seems to be paying off with stronger and stronger vintages, each successive year, and the 2014 is a sexy, opulent, layered, multidimensional wine with notes of red and blackcurrant, cedar wood, tobacco leaf , spice box and licorice. The color is a dense plum/ruby/purple, much like the Napanook. This is a beauty that is already drinking gorgeously – as most 2014s are – and will continue to evolve for 25 or so years. (RP)