2009 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

“Deep ruby opaque colored, the 2009 Dominus is a killer bottle of wine made from 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and the balance Petit Verdot. Loaded with notions of black currants, black cherries, graphite, lead pencil shavings, and crushed flowers, this beauty is full-bodied, deep, concentrated, and decadent. Perfectly balanced, pure and layered, it’s a sensational wine and you should count yourself lucky if you have bottles of this in the cellar. It will keep for another two to three decades.” (12/2017)

“Stunning nose of lavender and flowers. Currants and raspberries. Subtle and intriguing. Full and dense but wonderfully balanced with firm and silky tannins and a persistent finish. Dusty texture. A wine so balanced that you want to drink it already.” (10/2012)

“A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2009 Dominius is deep garnet in color. It comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of blueberry jam, black cherry compote, and blackcurrant pastilles, followed by suggestions of aniseed, dark chocolate, tar, and fertile loam. The full-bodied palate is open and ready-to-go, featuring soft, silky tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with a skip in its step.” (08/2024)

“The 2009 Dominus saw about 40% new oak compared to the 20% for Napanook. A seamless classic, it offers a symphony of red and black currants, Asian plum sauce, lavender, and underbrush. Sweet Christmas fruitcake characteristics emerge from this magnificent Dominus that finished at 14.5% natural alcohol (slightly higher than usual). The seamless integration of acidity, tannin, wood and alcohol, the brilliant length and overall compelling complexity and richness make it one of the great classics from this historic estate. (RP)” (10/2013)

“The 2009 Dominus has closed down quite a bit since I last tasted it. Today, all of the glorious fruit of the vintage is hiding behind a serious wall of tannin. The 2009 still possesses gorgeous inner perfume and plenty of sweetness, but little of the sexiness that will emerge over time. From time to time, the utter genius of the 2009 shows a glimpse of its potential. There is little doubt the 2009 will be a jewel once it awakens from what might very well be a long slumber. (AG) 97+” (12/2012)

“Offers plum and blackberry compote notes that give this both a corpulent and opaque feel up front, before the vineyard’s telltale cast iron note as well as a roasted apple wood accent harness this on the back end. Sports a serious tug of earth and a nice licorice snap accent throughout. Very tight structurally, with a still-primal side to the fruit, this is not quite unfurled. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. (JM)” (10/2022)

“Released May 2012. All picked in October. The only vintage where it was great in both Napa and Bordeaux, according to Christian Moueix. Warm and sweet, almost burnt, on the nose and very round until refined, almost burnt chocolatey notes on the palate. But lovely and cool on the finish. Very clean and glossy. Lovely balance. Is it a fault to be too pleasant at a young age? Even rounder than the 2007. 18/20 Points (JR)” (03/2014)