Dominus Napa Proprietary Red 2023 Rated 99JS

The Wine Palate Review
Rated 100
The 2023 Dominus is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Opaque purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal a powerful core of blackcurrant jelly, ripe black plums, and fresh blueberries, followed by hints of menthol, crushed rocks, dried sage, black truffles, and black olives. The full-bodied palate is both generous and energetic, displaying an impressive array of savory and earthy nuances among the dense black fruit layers and a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and beautiful tension, finishing with epic length.

More Accolades

• James Suckling: 99 points
• Wine Advocate: 98 points
• Jeb Dunnuck: 97 points
• VinoUS Media: 96 points

Dominus Napa Proprietary Red 2023

A benchmark Napa Valley estate wine, Dominus 2023 continues the estate's legacy of precision, structure, and Old-World restraint married to Napa power.
Crafted by Christian Moueix from dry-farmed Yountville vineyards, the 2023 vintage is expected to deliver purity, tension, and long-term cellar potential—hallmarks of Dominus in cooler, balanced growing years.

Key Details

• Producer: Dominus Estate (Christian Moueix)
• Region: Yountville, Napa Valley
• Style: Proprietary Red (Bordeaux-style blend)
• Varietals: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
• Farming: Dry-farmed estate vineyards
• ABV: 15%

Tasting Notes

• Blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark plum
• Graphite, tobacco leaf, and dried herbs
• Firm tannins with lifted acidity and precision
• Long, mineral-driven finish with classic Dominus restraint

Profile & Craft

• Estate-grown fruit from historic Napanook Vineyard
• Dry-farming enhances concentration and terroir expression
• Minimal intervention winemaking focused on purity and longevity
• One of Napa's most collectible and age-worthy reds

Serving & Pairing

• Decant 2 hours in youth for aromatic clarity
• Pairs with ribeye, lamb, duck confit, and truffle dishes
• Cellar potential: 20-30 years
• Ideal for collectors of structured, Old-World-leaning Napa reds