By Dominus Estate
2016 Dominus

Wine Details
Vineyard: Napanook Vineyard, Yountville, CA
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 84%, Petit Verdot 8%, Cabernet Franc 8%
Release Date: April 2019

Production Details
Harvest Start: September 16
Harvest End: September 30
Bottling Date: July 2018
New Barrels: 40%
Yield: 2.5-3.5 tons/acre
Budbreak: March 20
Bloom: May 9
Veraison: July 21

Tasting Notes
Filled with notes of deep forest berries, juniper, and truffle, Dominus 2016 is restrained and compact. The tightly woven structure promises to reveal fine tannins, earth, lavender, and dark chocolate and will improve over many years.

Vintage Summary
Rainy days were spread out evenly over the course of a warmer-than-average winter (November to March: 31.2 inches total, 11.2 inches in March). With soil reserves full, vines grew quickly with dense canopies. Bloom and veraison unfolded in warm and dry conditions, and one heat spike of 103 degrees F was recorded on July 26th. Ripening slowed down in August because of cooler temperatures and late morning fog. Fruit zone de-leafing and higher temperatures in September (99.2F on the 18th, 100.8F on the 25th, 100F on the 26th) helped fruit ripen consistently.
[Information provided by Dominus Estate]

2016 Dominus Proprietary Red Wine
Producer: Dominus
From: USA, California, North Coast, Napa Valley
Color: Red
Type: Table
Sweetness: Dry
Variety: Proprietary Blend
Rating: 100
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Issue Date: 29th Oct 2018
Source: Mid-October 2018 New Releases, The Wine Advocate
Drink Date: 2024-2054
A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc aged in 40% new oak, the 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is deep purple-black in color and quite reticent at this youthful stage to begin, offering up subtle notions of potpourri, Indian spices, cigar box and iron ore over a core of crushed blackberries and black cherries with intermittent wafts of black and red currants, new leather and smoked meats. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a densely packed mid-palate and oodles of freshness framed by very ripe, finely grained tannins and laced with compelling earthy accents. It offers incredible vibrancy with tons of black and red fruit sparkle in the mid-palate leading to a provocative mineral element on the very long finish. If I could give more than 100 for this one, I would. To be released in May 2019.

2016 Dominus
Producer: Dominus
Location: USA, California, North Coast, Napa Valley
Color: Red
Rating: 98+
Tasting Date: 1//31/2019
Maturity: 2023 - 2048
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Source: North Coast Part 1: Napa Valley’s Incredible 2016s
Another possible legend in the making is the 2016 Dominus, a classic blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 40% new French oak. Pure, pristine notes of charcoal, cold fireplace, smoke tobacco, and both blue and black fruits all flow to a full-bodied 2016 that has incredible elegance and finesse, yet also depth and density. It’s more backward and reserved than the 2015 and needs 4-5 years of cellaring. It will unquestionably live for 25-30 years.

DOMINUS NAPA VALLEY 2016
Monday, December 17, 2018
Country: United States
Region: California
Vintage: 2016
Score: 98
The opulence of fresh flowers and dark fruit is so impressive. There’s so much going on, from flowers to currants. The palate is full and powerful, but what impresses most are the ripe tannins and the amazing poise at the finish. Tightens down at the end. A blend of 84 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 8 percent Petit Verdot, and 8 percent Cabernet Franc. Drink in 2021.

Dominus 2016 Dominus
Rating: 97
Yountville, Napa Valley
Red wine from United States
Drinking window: 2024 - 2041
The 2016 Dominus is a dark, somber wine. I don't quite see the explosive energy of the 2013 or 2010, not the seductiveness of the 2012, but the 2016 has a distinct charm that is all its own. Quite frankly, I can't remember a young Dominus with this combination of fruit density, freshness and polished tannins. A huge center of fruit emerge with time in the glass in a big, large-scaled Dominus that should provide readers with a long drinking window of pure pleasure once some of the baby fat wears off.
Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: October 2018

DOMINUS ESTATE Napa Valley 2016
Score: 95
Country: United States
Region: Napa
Issue: Oct 31, 2019
This marries a range of old-school savory, tobacco, chestnut and bay leaf notes with a dense and muscular core of dark currant and blackberry fruit, all backed by a loam-swaddled finish. Long and dense, but defined, with the fruit steadily emerging to win out in the end. Patience is required. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2040. - JM