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Cellar/Tasting Notes
Dominus Napa 2009 by Cristian Moueix
In the late 1960s, while attending the University of California at Davis, Christian Moueix fell in love with the Napa Valley and its wines. Son of Jean-Pierre Moueix, the famed wine merchant and producer from Libourne, France, Christian returned home in 1970 to manage the family vineyards, including Chateaux Petrus, La Fleur-Petrus, Trotanoy in Pomerol and Magdelaine in Saint Emilion.
His love of the Napa Valley lingered and, in 1981, he discovered the historic Napanook Vineyard, a 124-acre site west of Yountville that had been the source of fruit for some of the finest Napa Valley wines of the 1940s and 1950s. in 1982, he entered into a partnership to develop the vineyard and, in 1995, became its sole owner. He chose the name 'Dominus' or' Lord of the Estate' in Latin to underscore his longstanding commitment to stewardship of the land.
And the rest, as they say, is history…
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (RP): 97+ "The 2009 Dominus flows from the glass with layers of highly expressive fruit. The wine possesses stunning richness, power and depth. Dark red fruit, tobacco, flowers and spices are woven into a seamless, beautifully articulated finish. Elegance and intensity are in perfect harmony here. This is a thrilling wine from Dominus. The blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.” Stephen Tanzer (ST): 95 (blended with 10% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot): Good ruby-red color, more saturated than the Napanook. Knockout floral lift to the aromas of black raspberry, blueberry, blond tobacco, almond and mint. Suave, savory and extremely precise, with penetrating flavors of dark berries, licorice, minerals and cocoa powder. The petit verdot component acts as an amplifier of aromas and flavors, notes winemaker Tod Mostero, "like a good seasoning." Medicinal in a Bordeaux way. The finishes shows outstanding length, noteworthy juiciness, and firm, noble tannins. A great vintage for Dominus. |