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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.9 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 59 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by wineton.mee on 1/22/2024 & rated 92 points: First ever vintage of Dominus and this is exactly why I love old Napas. Really fresh and vibrant on the nose. Ripe cherries, dark plums, green peppers, tobacco and leather. The palate is fading but still offers pleasure and all that tertiary notes hardly reflects the age. Got some alcoholic kick at the back. The ripeness probably suggests the origin of this bottle, and guesses were mostly around Loire Valley and 2013/2014. Held up well into Day 2. (516 views) | | | Tasted by Cailles on 12/31/2023 & rated 93 points: 20 Top Wines of the 1983 Vintage: Dominus vs Opus 1983. The Dominus (93pts) is as Bordeaux-esque as a wine can be, though it is not showing that much complexity. Nevertheless, its debut vintage is noteworthy, especially considering 1983’s challenges in Napa Valley. The Opus (90pts) couldn‘t hide the difficult vintage that well, showing a bit simple, albeit without fault.
TN: Medium- expressive nose with dark fruit and minerality. On the palate more expressive with intense minerality, a still intact nice and intense black fruit core, tobacco, and herbs. The tannins are fine but still with some edges, good freshness and tension, no excess weight. This is certainly not a very deep wine but the minerality core and the clear black fruit is a throwback to classic Bordeaux with that aristocratic feel.
Decanting: Double decanted a few hours before consumption. It needed the air and opened further in the glass. I would decant it for at least two hours. (923 views) | | | Tasted by G_H on 11/25/2023 & rated 93 points: 40 years on: A global 1983 retrospective: Not as great as another bottle I had a couple of years ago, but still very good. Intense, expressive nose, slightly lactic with some chocolate notes. (403 views) | | | Tasted by sirpat00 on 11/25/2023 & rated 93 points: 1983 vintage horizontal with >20 wines, mostly from Bordeaux. Key observations: 1/ Acceptable vintage for Champagne with DP over-delivering, 2/ Laville Haut Brion is a masterpiece among the whites, 3/ Bordeaux is going strong at 40 years of age with stand-outs Latour and Margaux. 4/ No need to chase any Napa’s from the vintage, 5/ off-piste Italians kept up impressively with Soldera an undisputed medalist.
Tasting note:
Double-decanted. Cassis jam but also fresher type of fruit, without appearing too sweet or overripe. Slightly lactic touch, also dried leaves. A fresh and moderately dense palate. Rather juicy still but lacking smoothness. Clearly better than Opus One ’83, but not quite on the level of the Dominus in the 90ies. Probably not a vintage to chase. (587 views) | | | Tasted by rc@ughey on 7/13/2023 & rated 93 points: Perhaps the most surprising wine of the night due to how young it showed. Blind I might have guessed something like 2000. Still structured and fresh as a daisy. Lovely too, although predictably neither as complex nor as elegant as the Margaux or Palmer. It was similar in impression to the Latour. (1000 views) | | | Tasted by Cailles on 10/23/2022 & rated 94 points: Heitz MV vs Dominus: 1983/1987/1991. Heitz Martha's won the battle (95.3 pts average vs 93.7pts for Dominus) thanks to more complexity and rounder, completer structural frames. My WOTN was the 1983 MV (rated 97 pts) thanks to an ever changing, highly complex aroma play, with a superb, elegant structure. In its first few years, Dominus (maiden vintage 1983) produced very classically shaped Bordeaux blends, great but often a bit square and with some hard edges. 1983/87 were no exception. In the 90s that changed (proved here by a superb 1991). All in all, lots of excellent wines and all worth chasing.
TN: Medium intense, tertiary Bordeaux nose with tobacco, leather, earth, lots of minerality, so classic and fresh. Superb, inviting, almost young-ish and full of tension. On the palate it is a touch square, mineralic and earthy, a bit iron and underneath fine fresh dark fruit. With time more truffles and tobacco come forward and increase the medium- complexity a bit. Not as complex as the Martha’s 83 in the next glass but still good. The structure never fully melts and remains a bit angular. Still very good. In the best moments on the nose rather 94/95pts. Overall 93/94 pts.
Decanting: This bottle could have needed an hour+ in the decanter. (2140 views) | | | Tasted by Zitan on 12/27/2020 & rated 94 points: Cork came out clean with Durand - solid and soaked to less than one quarter - silty, fairly light sediment - last tried in 2012 - slightly past peak but delicious - nose of a mature Bordeaux... leather, mushrooms - no bricking - fruit alive but not shouting - lovely secondary flavors emerging - Margaux-like and good length but lighter than a big first growth - my last bottle of this first vintage of Dominus - the collector in me is a little sad to see it go but the wine lover in me is happy I didn’t wait too long! (2813 views) | | | Tasted by G_H on 9/27/2020 & rated 96 points: A Cappella at Martin’s: Leather, barnyard, chocolate, malt, toasted barley, porcini, super expressive nose just jumping at you out of the glass. Notes continue in the palate enriched with humidor and smoked bacon notes. This is an Haut Brion lookalike and just flat out delicious!
I assume there is quite a lot of bottle variation and one sees the importance of great storage with this one. (2873 views) | | | Tasted by Montesquieu on 9/23/2020 & rated 95 points: Beautiful inaugural vintage of Dominus. Cork in terrific condition. Bottle had lovely secondary flavors. Very smooth. It lacked the pleasurable extremes of density and length, but was nevertheless a faultless time machine that took us back to earlier days of fine Napa winemaking. (2790 views) | | | Tasted by aquacongas on 9/6/2020 & rated 93 points: not blind, Best vintages of Dominus, all bottles perfectly stored (subcription) and decanted for 2 hours
First vintage of Dominus, very accessible, some mint, tobacco, Graphite, the finish is sweet, more Cali cab than Bordraux, maybe a touch over his Peak, well to drink. 93-94 (2699 views) | | | Tasted by ShadowIII on 2/14/2020 & rated 94 points: Tasted at dinner with the 2010,07,91,90. Amazing wine, still with huge fruit, cassis, currants, hints of cedar, graphite, full mouth feel, soft tannins, long finish. Memorable wine. (2705 views) | | | Tasted by SoundinBetween on 12/3/2019: Dominus Estate 1983-1995 Vertical (RPM Steak): Nose is dominated by eucalyptus. Palate was thin and certainly past its best; others at the table enjoyed this more than I did. (1021 views) | | | Tasted by Nanda on 12/3/2019 & rated 93 points: Dominus: 1983-1994 (RPM Steak): 83/84/85: My favorite of the flight and a testament to the age worthiness of Dominus. The aromas leap from the glass -- tarry, herby, cedary mature plum fruit. The palate is still rich and plush. So fresh. Wow. (2218 views) | | | Tasted by KeithAkers on 10/1/2017 & rated 91 points: Vinetasters- Dominus from 1983-2014 (Holiday Inn, Skokie IL): Nose: The nose is mature and balanced with cedar, dark red cherries, raspberries, red and black currants, cassis, tobacco, and spice notes.
Taste: The feel is Full bodied with medium acidity and silky, medium+ tannins. The tannins are pretty much resolved with dark red cherries, raspberries, cedar, tobacco, red and black currants, and spice notes.
Overall: This was my #7 and the group's #8. This is drinking beautifully and didn't feel in danger of fading. It isn't the greatest Dominus, but it is always fun to drink as it is the first. (1116 views) | | | Tasted by KenK on 10/1/2017 & rated 89 points: Vinetaster's does Dominus 1983-2014 (Holiday Inn NorthShore): Dark briery earthy aromas with a nice dry sweet earthy edge. Dark rustic mature claret. Reasonable concentration and very much alive yet fully resolved tannins and a bit lean with good hints of tobacco. Solid, yet overall a just bit too drying. I rated this #10/12 vs group rating of 8/12. (4872 views) | | | Tasted by dvansteenderen on 3/23/2017 & rated 91 points: Drank during lunch. The nose started of very funky, but after some time settled to smell like aged claret. Drinking pretty classically and pretty good in general! Not tired yet... (2542 views) | | | Tasted by Quiet Lion on 12/14/2016 & rated 97 points: Decanted and poured at Six Seven in Seattle. Beautiful flowery nose at the start, well integrated faded fruit on the palate, bitter chocolate finish. Transitioned several times and after an hour turned into a gorgeous mature left-bank Bordeaux. Reminded me of Mouton. My first Dominus, the first attempt and a bad year for Napa. Color me impressed. (4909 views) | | | Tasted by boses on 9/21/2016 & rated 92 points: What a superb wine ! Amazing structure and fruit after 33 years and still a nice balance. Slightly decanted to remove sediment - it was a treat to have. Silly smooth , supple and velvety it made me smile to think I have 3 bottles left. The first effort in Napa by Mouiex this is a superlative wine IMHO. The nose has matured truffle, leather and saddle bag tones with underlying fruits - on the plate pure silk and velvet with a nice weight and just a slight heat. A nice long mouth filling finish which lingers in a satisfyingly dry feel and makes for another sip. Lovely ! (4621 views) | | | Tasted by Javachip on 6/9/2016 & rated 92 points: Fill into neck. Capsule and cork in excellent condition for age. Not decanted. Allowed to breathe in glass 30 minutes before tasting. Clear deep youthful garnet-ruby color. Lovely bouquet of blackberry liqueur, creme de cassis, nutmeg, fennel, anise, bourbon vanilla, with hints of molasses and tobacco. Swirling the glass brings out more savory nuances such as saddle soap and meat juice. Medium-full body on the palate, balanced, seamless, outstanding wine, obviously fully mature but showing plenty of life. (4768 views) | | | Tasted by Francophile1 on 12/19/2015 & rated 90 points: What a treat to be able to taste this inaugural bottling from Christian Moueix at Dominus. This wine is still holding up after all these years telling me that California wines can truly age well. While this wasn't nearly as profound as the '94 Dominus (my all time favorite), it didn't disappoint. Fully mature with secondary characteristics reminiscent of a Medoc Bordeaux. I don't recommend decanting this wine and you should drink it within the first hour after uncorking. (4699 views) | | | Tasted by d'Artagnan on 11/20/2015 & rated 91 points: Verticale Dominus: Quelle chance de goûter au premier Dominus produit!
Il a bien franchi les années ce coup d'envoi, avec un très joli nez, qui montre aussi des arômes de cabernet franc, complexe, parfumé et subtil. La bouche est élégante, plus limitée que les vins précédents, mais d'une belle fraicheur. Charmant et encore bien en vie. 90-91 (4088 views) | | | Tasted by WoodieBayArea on 8/23/2015 & rated 90 points: a gift bottle from a case purchased by Joe S, thanks so much for sharing Joe, had this side by side with a bunch of wines and it was i believe past prime, intriguing nose of flowers and spice and maybe some fruit, very good mouthfeel and the palate had good acid, but the fruit was non-existent so all leather and dust... if some fruit to balance this could have been 93-94 but alas no (3181 views) | | | Tasted by jeginmt on 6/11/2015 & rated 94 points: This wine has aged beautifully. No sign of deterioration. Rich, deep red, full bodied, aromas of berries, flavors of currants, berries, liquorice, vanilla. Medium tannins give it structure. Needed about an hour to open up. (3070 views) | | | Tasted by dy_dx on 3/1/2015 & rated 89 points: Right after opening, very muted nose and palette. After ~2 hours blackberries, other dark fruits, violets, and cedar came through on the nose. Palette became juicy berries, though dried and finished quickly. (3014 views) | | | Tasted by slywka7 on 10/1/2014 & rated 90 points: Bordeaux, Aged Cali Cabs and Burgundy with the Benchmark Wine Group in Port Chester (Il Sogno, Port Chester, NY): The best of the 3 proceeding California bottles. Still a little tannic but quite nice. More Bordeaux in structure than California. Still has some life left ahead of it with some dried fruit remaining but secondary characteristics taking the front seat. (3843 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Dominus Producer websiteRed Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.EstateIn the United States, "Wines with “estate bottled” designations must: a) also designate an appellation of origin or an AVA, and both the vineyards and the winery must be located there; b) the grapes must come from vineyards owned or controlled by the winery; and c) the wine must have been produced, from crush to bottle, in a continuous process without leaving the winery’s premises."
- WINE LABEL FAQS: A QUICK SUMMARY OF LABEL DESIGNATION RULES" by David E. StollUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa Valley Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners)Napa ValleySt. Helena |
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