A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2008 Dominus is deep garnet in color. The nose is a little subdued to start off, soon unfurling to offer subtle suggestions of iron ore, underbrush, black olives, and smoked meats, leading to a core of warm cassis, raspberry pie, and kirsch, with a touch of charcoal. The medium to full-bodied palate is bright, elegant, and breezy with a refreshing backbone and soft tannins, finishing long and soft-spoken. (LPB)

This is very pure fruit for Dominus. This will be interesting to see how it develops in the future. 2008 was a very small crop. Very perfumed and beautiful, with currants, flowers, and notes of mint. Full-bodied, with round velvety tannins that lead up to a chocolate and ripe berry finish. This is showing great fruit, and a great finish. Structurally this is like a 2005 La Mission.

Very Bordeaux-like in its makeup and structure, this firm wine offers good acidity and tight tannins, delivering complex flavors of loamy earth, vivid dried currant and berry, with anise and mineral notes sprinkled in. My favorite young Dominus of late. (JM)