2019 Dominus, Napa Valley, California, USA

From a slightly more challenging year for this estate due to the heavy springtime rains, the 2019 Dominus is a classic blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc from this team brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. It offers a more ruby/plum and borderline opaque hue as well as a great nose of ripe currants, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and a touch of loamy earth. This round, supple, medium to full-bodied effort has soft tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish. It's not going to match the all-time greats here, but it’s a charming, endearing Cabernet that will offer incredible pleasure with just 3-5 years of bottle age and drink well for 20 years or more.

Drink 2026 - 2048

The 2019 Dominus is shockingly primary. A wine of tremendous density and power, the 2019 is also a wine for readers who can be patient, as it won't be ready to drink for another 10-15 years! Dark fruit, leather, tobacco, incense, dried herbs and scorched earth lend striking complexity. The 2019 is a huge wine that needs time to come into its own. This is impressive, to say the least.

The 2019s from Dominus are stellar. As has been the case in many recent vintages, the Napanook Cabernet over-delivers big time. The Dominus Cabernet is shaping up to be one of the great wines of the vintage. Mostero describes 2019 as a year with a very rainy and cool May. He opened the canopies early to reduce disease pressure, which was a benefit in helping the grapes acclimate to warmer temperatures in light of the big heat spikes that arrived in mid-August and then in September, when temperatures soared over 100 degrees.

Drink 2029 - 2049

Lots of crushed stone, lead pencil and liquorice aromas that are highly aromatic and bright. Black cherries, cloves and purple fruit, too. Full body and a round and ripe centre palate with a juicy interior. It opens at the end with a savoury and juicy finish. Layered and beautiful. 

Drinkable now, but it will be better in three or four years.

The 2019 Dominus is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged in 40% new French oak. Impressively dark-hued in the glass, it yields scents of cherries and cassis on the nose—or is it black cherries and redcurrants? Subtle notes of mocha, pencil shavings and almost Graves-like earthiness wind through the concentrated, medium to full-bodied palate, giving it a sense of savoury gravitas, while the finish is silky and long, leaving a lingering residue of soft tannins and mouthwatering freshness.

Drink 2023 - 2040