Dominus 2015, Red Blend, Napa Valley, USA

Dominus is one of the New World’s most famous producers, owned and run by Christian Moueix. 

Dominus is based around the famous Napanook vineyard on the edge of the Mayacamas Mountains. George C. Yount, the founder of Yountville, planted the first vines here in 1836 on the location of the current Inglenook vineyard. Dominus Estate's flagship red is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Production of Dominus is very small, around 5,000 – 6,000 cases a year. Production of Dominus is very small, around 5,000 – 6,000 cases a year.

During the period of Moueix ownership, Dominus has emerged as one of the very top Napa Valley reds. Scoring four 100-point scores from Wine Advocate since 1983. These wines always have exceptional ageing potential.  Advocate’s highest rated vintage since 1964.

Dominus is on a meteoric rise. All of their 100-point scores have come since 2010 (2016, 2015, 2013 & 2010). Special praise was given to the 2016, however, which WA implied was the best of the lot: “If I could give more than 100 for this one, I would” - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate

Dominus’s closest rival in international markets is Opus One, the Californian collaboration between Robert Mondavi and Mouton Rothschild. Dominus looks very favourably priced when compared to Opus One. It is comfortably a better wine, receiving much higher scores, but it is also far scarcer. Just 5,000-6,000 cases of Dominus are produced each vintage compared to around 25,000 at Opus One. Yet, Dominus is cheaper.