2008 Dominus, Napa Valley

Dominus Estate was established in 1983 by Christian Moueix, a prominent figure in Bordeaux winemaking who applied his family’s long-standing viticultural expertise to the historic Napanook vineyard in Yountville. This wine is made from 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, all grown in the vineyard's distinctive gravelly clay loam soils. In the glass, it shows defined aromas of blackberry, graphite, and tobacco, with a structured, medium-to-full-bodied palate featuring fine, persistent tannins and a mineral-driven finish. The 2008 growing season was marked by a dry spring and cool summer, resulting in smaller, concentrated berries that gave the wine significant density and restraint. Now over a decade into its evolution, this bottle is in a prime window for consumption and offers a balanced, contemplative experience that will continue to reward those who choose to cellar it further.