1996 Dominus, Napa Valley

Christian Moueix’s philosophy at Dominus centers on dry-farming the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, managing its gravelly clay loam soils through organic practices to profoundly express this Mayacamas-influenced site. The estate cultivates a Bordeaux-inspired proprietary red, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, with minimal intervention in the cellar to preserve vineyard character. The 1996 vintage, marked by an early bud break and a warm summer, benefited from a critical September cooling trend that balanced fruit sugars with phenolic ripeness and resulted in a reduced crop. This produced a wine of terrific richness, a medium to full body, and an opulent, succulent texture. The low acidity and finely-grained tannins were successfully integrated, contributing to its immediate approachability while providing a structural framework for extended evolution.