The 2015 Dominus is a blockbuster. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot (note that no Merlot is used at Dominus Estate, an irony, considering Moueix is the king of Merlot in Pomerol and to a lesser extent St.-Emilion). This wine has incredibly rich, ripe and pure fruit, often suggestive of blueberries, black raspberries and cassis, intermixed with licorice and forest floor notes. A wine of great body, purity and richness, but the balance of a ballerina, this gorgeously lush, voluptuously textured Dominus should drink effortlessly when released and evolve 30 more years, as his older vintages are proving so well.

Super savoury and terrifically precise aromatics reveal capsicum and dried sage, bay leaf and blood orange citrus, cocoa nibs and dried violets dusted with white pepper. Plump and unabashedly full-bodied, with voluminous and creamy black fruit atop super-fine-grained tannins that are seamlessly integrated. A host of savoury spices build intrigue with black olive, liquorice, and cured meat.

A big, explosive wine, the 2015 Dominus is racy, powerful and sensual. There is plenty of tannic heft underpinning the dark fruit. Today, the 2015 is remarkably youthful and primary, but it offers terrific depth, if not quite the visceral thrill of the very best years. Today, the differences between the two wines are not that marked, but that will probably come into focus over time. The Dominus has a bit more depth and intensity through the mid-palate than the Napanook, with soft, silky tannins that round out the gracious finish and an element of exoticism that is impossible to miss.

The 2015 Dominus is a flawless, perfect wine as well as a legend in the making. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Franc, from dry-farmed vines and brought up in just 40% new French oak, its ruby/purple color is followed by an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, crème de cassis, damp earth, smoke tobacco, and spring flowers. Reminding me of the 2015 Château Margaux with its incredible mix of elegance and power, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, stunning purity of fruit, building tannins, and awesome length. This sensational textured and voluptuous Dominus drink well today yet will evolve for 25-30 years or more.

Bottled in July 2017 and composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the Dominus 2015 Proprietary Red Wine leaps from the glass with notes of fresh wild blueberries, crushed blackberries and black currant juice with touches of wild thyme, underbrush, iron ore and aniseed with wafts of lavender and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has incredible energy and vivacity, with the firm, pixelated tannins and lively backbone skillfully framing the muscular fruit, finishing with wonderful length and depth.

Bottled in July 2017 and composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the Dominus 2015 Proprietary Red Wine leaps from the glass with notes of fresh wild blueberries, crushed blackberries and black currant juice with touches of wild thyme, underbrush, iron ore and aniseed with wafts of lavender and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has incredible energy and vivacity, with the firm, pixelated tannins and lively backbone skillfully framing the muscular fruit, finishing with wonderful length and depth. October 2017 WA233