A brilliant showing for Christian Moueix’s well-known Napanook Vineyard, the 2001 Dominus is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot. A classic in the making, this is a flawless, seamless example of elegant, complex Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that possesses a Bordeaux-like personality. This gorgeous, sexy, opulent, dense ruby/purple-colored wine reveals sweet caramel, mocha, creme de cassis and kirsch notes intermixed with a hint of espresso roast as well as underbrush. Ripe, long and full-bodied with well-integrated tannin, acidity, alcohol and wood, this prodigious 2001 is drinkable now and over the next 25+ years given this estate’s longevity track record. A virtually perfect wine, it is one of the most complex 2001s at present. Tel. (707) 944-8954; Fax (707) 944-0547

This was one of the most delightfully shocking wines in the lineup I sampled during my visit to Dominus in early 2024. Tasting alongside Tod Graff and Christian Mouiex, we all nodded in agreement. Mouiex noted that the potential was fantastic in 1994, 2001, and 2013. And it showed in the 2001, which continued to impress over a few hours. A beautiful umami-soy quality like Nori and Bonita flakes comprise the aromatics. It is very compact until it just blossoms, revealing a rich, loamy earth intensity and vibrancy with tea-like tannins, curranty-truffle, and dried floral complexities. Includes 4% Cabernet Franc.

The impeccably made 2001 Dominus boasts a dense plum/purple color in addition to a fragrant, promising perfume of cocoa, cedar, coffee, roasted herbs, and copious quantities of black fruits. There are 7,000 cases of this 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot blend. Rich and medium to full-bodied, with sweet but noticeable tannin, a layered mid-palate, and a long finish with obvious tannin, it will require 3-4 years of cellaring. It should last for two decades.

Deep black/purple colour. This has a sweet, lifted nose of plum, smoke, stone and minerals all with superb definition. Soft entry on the medium to full-bodied palate, very svelte with notes of plum, liquorice and maraschino cherry. The mid-palate is more floral and builds towards a firm, weighty, blackberry finish. Decadent and ravishing. Tasted May 2006.