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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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!
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
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
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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 !
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Similar experience to others here. Definitely old world, after being open a couple of hours a very floral nose, wonderful but palate and finish didn't hold up to the nose. I don't know how the bottle was stored as it was a gift from a friend. I wouldn't mind a chance to try another but my guess is that it's on the downslope or at the very least somewhere on the apex
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Might be the last bottle. Cork saturated 1/4 inch, perfect fill. Large clove and cinnamon spice notes. Drank wonderfully with dinner, no need to hurry, but it certainly will not improve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted blind: Surprisingly young in color, one would never expect a 30 year old wine. Nose reminds me of glue and cough medicine. The whole wine is quite one-dimensional, short and out of balance. So far I did not have good experiences with the Dominus 1983...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Taste: Medium/full bodied with medium acidity and nice supporting tannins. This does seem to be slightly lacking on the palate, but there are very pretty tones of pencil lead, earthen tones, dark red cherries, cedar, and some dark berries.
Overall: This was the first ever Dominus and it's still holding up extremely well. The nose was beautiful, but the palate lacking a slight bit. Still, this was a very pretty and refined wine that was a pleasure to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Chicago Rotating Wine Dinner Series - July 2013 (Chris' House - Highland Park, IL): A rustic and earthy cabernet. Palate was just oozing with old world charm; dried florals, earth, mint, and dusty dark fruits fit together perfectly. The nose was so incredibly enjoyable here, but the palate was a touch soft. It was like the palate was being viewed through a foggy lens.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dry black dusty with edgy herbal note Earthy wirh some clear age touch rustic, yet plenty of pleasure and balance. Nice rich dried black flavors with floral quality and spice. Still has life and some chew.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Surprisingly young in color. Flavors of coffee, leather. Very mineralic, berries, Pauillac style, one would never guess its Napa. Still plenty of tannins to give the wine 10 more years. But I would drink now as there is very little fruit left so there is the risk that the wine will dry out. Decant for 1 to 2 hours...Overall impressive for its age, and a Napa milestone...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
What can you say for a wine that has such a legacy. Tasted non-blind and in a celebratory mood. It was just one of those occasions that said...open a good bottle, whatever! So we did. This was the last of the 2 bottles I had of this...and it did not disappoint.
Still a deep core of dark garnet color and packed with a lot of stuffing. Only the slightest of bricking at the meniscus. At cellar temp, the wine was show and shut down, but after warming, it came alive. 20 minutes in the glass, it was singing, better at 40 minutes. We enjoyed a glass each and one person in our group was slower, so we split the rest of the wine, and it had lost definition by an hour in the glass.
At the half-hour peak, it was drinking great. Lots of loamy earth, cut wood, I hesitate to use cedar, but more like a richer wood like sandal wood. No noticeable oak on the nose. Cherry pith, dried herb, savory tones, and hint of Provencal herb came through. On the palate, it came through on the medium to full mouth feel, with more blacker fruits on the palate, and still a nice silky long finish. Definitely made in a more European fashion and those that had the patience to sit on this, are going to be rewarded. This was the better of the two bottles. Any other well stored bottles definitely have 5 years left, but I would enjoy it sooner than later. A real treat and testament to Team Moueix. Delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Tasted double blind. Black fruit aromas starting to show age.Big and chewy flavors with lots of very fine structure still around. Long finish has very good spice emerging. This wine still has many years of life remaining.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My friend pull this bottle out towards the end of a great evening of good wine and company, we were quite surprised that this bottle was still in great shape, cork was OK, color a bit brownish at the rim but still vibrant. Needed about 30min to open and drank well for the next hour. A great honor indeed to drink the first vintage of this great estate! Bravo!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Back, Back in the USofA (StrEat Restaurant, Austin, Texas): A great favorite of several tasters, others thought it had lost some fruit and tannins. Showing medium color intensity with moderate rim variation, this inaugural Dominus still offered a complex noise of current,cherry, cedar, vanilla, wet cement and roses. The palate offered both red and dark berries with pie spice and some noted leather with cedar. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Stood up for 10 days to let the sediment settle. Ruby in color with clear indication of maturity. Decanted separte the sediment and enjoyed over 2 hours. Upon opening, the wine was one dimensonal on nose and palate with cedar however, the wine evolved in the decanter over the next 2 hours by adding blackberries, melted chocolate, cedar and slightly minty. On palate it has wonderful balance and elegance with cedar still dominating but wrapped around black fruit and spices. The spices are not peppership at all but have a sweet edge to them. A good lasting finish. Again excellent balance and went so well with dinner. What a beautiful wine!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deeply colored, rim with red tones looked younger than stated age... good depth of color at rim. On the nose the wine is pleasant but a bit monolithic with black currants, truffles, tobacco spice, light brett... on the palate the wine had high acidity, a very firm, taut midpalate, and an awkward transition into a still firmly tannic finish. A little firm on the balance scale, shortish length, good intensity and complexity. The wine lacks finesse and is too firm and unyeilding texturally... good expression of place. Based on what others have written about this wine I suspect this wasn't the best bottle of this wine... it came across as hard and unfriendly. Hesitant to make any conclusions about drinkablility based on this sample and for what its worth this bottle had enough textural issues to be at best "average" wine with very little likability.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
As dark as the wine from late 90s. very fine cork as well, all of us couldn't believe how perfect the condition of the cork was. Still seem young and thick, bordeaux-like nose as usual for old dominus. Tasted blind with 83 Beychavelle, you could easily detect the sweet tannin and the fruity mid palate of the CA cab. Too bad I only have 1 bottle of this fine CA cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
20 Years of Dominus - Part 2 - The Teaser Flight: Effusive nose that screams plum, truffle, earth, and eucalyptus/menthol. Velvety texture, medium bodied, fresh and alive.Morel mushrooms and black currant fruit. Stunningly good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Absolutely singing right now! Beautiful sweet red fruits, some terroir, some 'old CA cab funk', bright and vibrant yet. Round, smooth ripe tannins, silky mouthfeel, beautiful finish. If you have one, enjoy it with a nice cut of beef. Fantastic wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
San Diego Mini Offline (Wine Vault, San Diego): Terrific nose of a beautifully aged Cab with a nice cedar foundation. Plenty of fruit here still after a few minutes of air lets the richness shine. I've had some excellent older Cabs recently and this is right there. At peak and not going anywhere soon. Outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep purple, red color; nose of oak, barnyard, black fruits and mushrooms; medium to full body with firm tannins; after several hours of decanting the tannins softened and flavors of coffee, minerals, and spice appeared; finished quickly; retasted after 12 hours of decanting and still showed nicely; not a blockbuster but very enjoyable aged California cabernet at its peak or slightly past its prime.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
ORANGE ON THE EDGE. BLACK CHERRIES, LICORICE, AND MINT IN THE NOSE WITH BLACKCURRANT AND BLACKBERRIES IN THE FLAVOR. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH. MUCH BETTER THAN 10/04 TASTING (91)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
By far the most impressive bottle of this we’ve had. huge tannins but a core of sweetness. A bit rough to start but after 5 hours in the decanter it really started to open up. Had it with 87 and 97 also and the 83 ended up stealing the show with its late heroics.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dominus Vertical Dinner (onesixtyblue): Cloudy red color. Bright red fruit with spice on the nose. Big bold round black fruit on the palate with a coffee finish. Drinking surprisingly young for a 24 year old Cali Cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
DOMINUS VERTICAL DINNER (160 Blue - Chicago, IL): Bright aromas of black currants, balsam and vanilla. Pure fruits are silky and youthful. Cedar notes offer complexity. Fine tannins. Long finish is full of dark fruits and toasty notes. A young bottle with plenty of development ahead. (4+13+18+8=93).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted and drank over about 2 hours. Accessible from the start and with a surprising amount of fruit. Initially very "dusty" and earthy this mellowed over time. A nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great old Cabernet nose shows leather and tobacco and good signs of black fruit in near background. Somewhat more smoky cherry fruit flavors on the palate, with lots of earthy elements in support. very nicely balanced and integrated, showing particularly well on its long finish. No fear of this wine falling apart any year soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasting of 5 Dominus vs. 3 Opus. aromatic nose of black cherry, fig, and wood, very sweet candy fruit on tasting, rich and ripe and concentrated fruit, lots of soft tannins, needs time, Cabernet finish. My #6 of 8.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
1/22/2024 - wineton.mee wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2023 - Cailles wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2023 - G_H wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2023 - sirpat00 wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2023 - rc@ughey wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/23/2022 - Cailles wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2020 - Zitan wrote: 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!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
9/27/2020 - G_H wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2020 - Montesquieu Likes this wine: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (2)
9/6/2020 - aquacongas wrote: 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
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2020 - ShadowIII Likes this wine: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2019 - SoundinBetween wrote:
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2019 - Nanda wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/1/2017 - KeithAkers wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/1/2017 - KenK wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2017 - dvansteenderen Likes this wine: 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...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/14/2016 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/21/2016 - boses wrote: 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 !
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/9/2016 - Javachip wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2015 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2015 - d'Artagnan wrote: 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
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2015 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 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
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2015 - jeginmt Likes this wine: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/1/2015 - dy_dx wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/1/2014 - slywka7 wrote: 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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2014 - Gabe wrote: 90 Points
Similar experience to others here. Definitely old world, after being open a couple of hours a very floral nose, wonderful but palate and finish didn't hold up to the nose. I don't know how the bottle was stored as it was a gift from a friend. I wouldn't mind a chance to try another but my guess is that it's on the downslope or at the very least somewhere on the apex
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2014 - stealthman_1 wrote: 92 Points
Might be the last bottle. Cork saturated 1/4 inch, perfect fill. Large clove and cinnamon spice notes. Drank wonderfully with dinner, no need to hurry, but it certainly will not improve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2014 - Wine_lvr wrote: 89 Points
Tasted blind: Surprisingly young in color, one would never expect a 30 year old wine. Nose reminds me of glue and cough medicine. The whole wine is quite one-dimensional, short and out of balance. So far I did not have good experiences with the Dominus 1983...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2013 - KeithAkers wrote: 91 Points
Rotating Dinner Series- 70s and 80s California Cabernets (Chris' place, Highland Park IL): Nose: Very open and perfumed nose with balanced tones of pencil lead, dark red cherries, cedar, leather, dark berries, and some earth tones.
Taste: Medium/full bodied with medium acidity and nice supporting tannins. This does seem to be slightly lacking on the palate, but there are very pretty tones of pencil lead, earthen tones, dark red cherries, cedar, and some dark berries.
Overall: This was the first ever Dominus and it's still holding up extremely well. The nose was beautiful, but the palate lacking a slight bit. Still, this was a very pretty and refined wine that was a pleasure to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2013 - tooch wrote: 91 Points
Chicago Rotating Wine Dinner Series - July 2013 (Chris' House - Highland Park, IL): A rustic and earthy cabernet. Palate was just oozing with old world charm; dried florals, earth, mint, and dusty dark fruits fit together perfectly. The nose was so incredibly enjoyable here, but the palate was a touch soft. It was like the palate was being viewed through a foggy lens.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2012 - KenK wrote: 93 Points
Dry black dusty with edgy herbal note
Earthy wirh some clear age touch rustic, yet plenty of pleasure and balance. Nice rich dried black flavors with floral quality and spice. Still has life and some chew.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2012 - Wine_lvr wrote: 90 Points
Surprisingly young in color. Flavors of coffee, leather. Very mineralic, berries, Pauillac style, one would never guess its Napa. Still plenty of tannins to give the wine 10 more years. But I would drink now as there is very little fruit left so there is the risk that the wine will dry out. Decant for 1 to 2 hours...Overall impressive for its age, and a Napa milestone...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/14/2012 - TXRhoneRanger wrote: 94 Points
What can you say for a wine that has such a legacy. Tasted non-blind and in a celebratory mood. It was just one of those occasions that said...open a good bottle, whatever! So we did. This was the last of the 2 bottles I had of this...and it did not disappoint.
Still a deep core of dark garnet color and packed with a lot of stuffing. Only the slightest of bricking at the meniscus. At cellar temp, the wine was show and shut down, but after warming, it came alive. 20 minutes in the glass, it was singing, better at 40 minutes. We enjoyed a glass each and one person in our group was slower, so we split the rest of the wine, and it had lost definition by an hour in the glass.
At the half-hour peak, it was drinking great. Lots of loamy earth, cut wood, I hesitate to use cedar, but more like a richer wood like sandal wood. No noticeable oak on the nose. Cherry pith, dried herb, savory tones, and hint of Provencal herb came through. On the palate, it came through on the medium to full mouth feel, with more blacker fruits on the palate, and still a nice silky long finish. Definitely made in a more European fashion and those that had the patience to sit on this, are going to be rewarded. This was the better of the two bottles. Any other well stored bottles definitely have 5 years left, but I would enjoy it sooner than later. A real treat and testament to Team Moueix. Delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2012 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Tasted double blind. Black fruit aromas starting to show age.Big and chewy flavors with lots of very fine structure still around. Long finish has very good spice emerging. This wine still has many years of life remaining.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2011 - danielk168 wrote: 91 Points
My friend pull this bottle out towards the end of a great evening of good wine and company, we were quite surprised that this bottle was still in great shape, cork was OK, color a bit brownish at the rim but still vibrant. Needed about 30min to open and drank well for the next hour. A great honor indeed to drink the first vintage of this great estate! Bravo!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2011 - austinwinesalon wrote:
Back, Back in the USofA (StrEat Restaurant, Austin, Texas): A great favorite of several tasters, others thought it had lost some fruit and tannins. Showing medium color intensity with moderate rim variation, this inaugural Dominus still offered a complex noise of current,cherry, cedar, vanilla, wet cement and roses. The palate offered both red and dark berries with pie spice and some noted leather with cedar. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2010 - G Kapoor wrote:
Stood up for 10 days to let the sediment settle. Ruby in color with clear indication of maturity. Decanted separte the sediment and enjoyed over 2 hours. Upon opening, the wine was one dimensonal on nose and palate with cedar however, the wine evolved in the decanter over the next 2 hours by adding blackberries, melted chocolate, cedar and slightly minty. On palate it has wonderful balance and elegance with cedar still dominating but wrapped around black fruit and spices. The spices are not peppership at all but have a sweet edge to them. A good lasting finish. Again excellent balance and went so well with dinner. What a beautiful wine!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2010 - markjanes wrote: 78 Points
Deeply colored, rim with red tones looked younger than stated age... good depth of color at rim. On the nose the wine is pleasant but a bit monolithic with black currants, truffles, tobacco spice, light brett... on the palate the wine had high acidity, a very firm, taut midpalate, and an awkward transition into a still firmly tannic finish. A little firm on the balance scale, shortish length, good intensity and complexity. The wine lacks finesse and is too firm and unyeilding texturally... good expression of place. Based on what others have written about this wine I suspect this wasn't the best bottle of this wine... it came across as hard and unfriendly. Hesitant to make any conclusions about drinkablility based on this sample and for what its worth this bottle had enough textural issues to be at best "average" wine with very little likability.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2009 - loverboy wrote: 92 Points
As dark as the wine from late 90s. very fine cork as well, all of us couldn't believe how perfect the condition of the cork was. Still seem young and thick, bordeaux-like nose as usual for old dominus. Tasted blind with 83 Beychavelle, you could easily detect the sweet tannin and the fruity mid palate of the CA cab. Too bad I only have 1 bottle of this fine CA cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/6/2009 - steffenpelz wrote:
20 Years of Dominus - Part 2 - The Teaser Flight: Effusive nose that screams plum, truffle, earth, and eucalyptus/menthol. Velvety texture, medium bodied, fresh and alive.Morel mushrooms and black currant fruit. Stunningly good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/8/2009 - Todd French wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely singing right now! Beautiful sweet red fruits, some terroir, some 'old CA cab funk', bright and vibrant yet. Round, smooth ripe tannins, silky mouthfeel, beautiful finish. If you have one, enjoy it with a nice cut of beef. Fantastic wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2009 - WetRock wrote:
San Diego Mini Offline (Wine Vault, San Diego): Terrific nose of a beautifully aged Cab with a nice cedar foundation. Plenty of fruit here still after a few minutes of air lets the richness shine. I've had some excellent older Cabs recently and this is right there. At peak and not going anywhere soon. Outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2008 - knelsfk wrote: 91 Points
Deep purple, red color; nose of oak, barnyard, black fruits and mushrooms; medium to full body with firm tannins; after several hours of decanting the tannins softened and flavors of coffee, minerals, and spice appeared; finished quickly; retasted after 12 hours of decanting and still showed nicely; not a blockbuster but very enjoyable aged California cabernet at its peak or slightly past its prime.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/21/2008 - buckeye76 wrote: 93 Points
ORANGE ON THE EDGE. BLACK CHERRIES, LICORICE, AND MINT IN THE NOSE WITH BLACKCURRANT AND BLACKBERRIES IN THE FLAVOR. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH. MUCH BETTER THAN 10/04 TASTING (91)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/26/2007 - phenricsson wrote: 96 Points
By far the most impressive bottle of this we’ve had. huge tannins but a core of sweetness. A bit rough to start but after 5 hours in the decanter it really started to open up. Had it with 87 and 97 also and the 83 ended up stealing the show with its late heroics.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2007 - winefool wrote: 93 Points
Dominus Vertical Dinner (onesixtyblue): Cloudy red color. Bright red fruit with spice on the nose. Big bold round black fruit on the palate with a coffee finish. Drinking surprisingly young for a 24 year old Cali Cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2007 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
DOMINUS VERTICAL DINNER (160 Blue - Chicago, IL): Bright aromas of black currants, balsam and vanilla. Pure fruits are silky and youthful. Cedar notes offer complexity. Fine tannins. Long finish is full of dark fruits and toasty notes. A young bottle with plenty of development ahead. (4+13+18+8=93).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2007 - Jaco2112 wrote: 88 Points
Good but not gr4eat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/24/2006 - carls_wines wrote: 90 Points
Decanted and drank over about 2 hours. Accessible from the start and with a surprising amount of fruit. Initially very "dusty" and earthy this mellowed over time. A nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2004 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
Great old Cabernet nose shows leather and tobacco and good signs of black fruit in near background. Somewhat more smoky cherry fruit flavors on the palate, with lots of earthy elements in support. very nicely balanced and integrated, showing particularly well on its long finish. No fear of this wine falling apart any year soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/1994 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasting of 5 Dominus vs. 3 Opus. aromatic nose of black cherry, fig, and wood, very sweet candy fruit on tasting, rich and ripe and concentrated fruit, lots of soft tannins, needs time, Cabernet finish. My #6 of 8.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment