Dominus, Napa Valley, 2013
A magnificent Dominus that parades muscled power alongside cool, composed fruit and a staggering length. Pure cassis notes then clove and fine vanillin oak notes, dark fruits, beautifully tense yet super fine tannins and markedly more fine gravel and graphite aromas on the finish that any of the other wines in the line-up. The structure and poise of this wine is breath-taking.
critic reviews
A full sensory experience, with touches of cumin and campfire smoke on the opening moments, lusciously ripe berry fruits, saffron, olive, incense, full of enticing lift. A slight lack of resolution in the tannic structure compared to the 2023 in this same vertical, but it shows expansion and depth through the palate, and is a great Dominus. This was 30th vintage since the estate's founding by Christian Moueix, so his image is on the label. 40% new oak, Tod Mostero winemaker. I can be sceptical of vintages like 2013 - dry, hot, early budding and early harvest - that can offer big, showy wines with high alcohols, but 2013 Napa, like 2009 Bordeaux, has proven its brilliance over time.
The 2013 Dominus overwhelms all the senses with its magnificent overall balance and towering intensity. Deep and nearly impenetrable in the glass, the 2013 boasts off the charts dry extract and overall power. Violets, smoke, black cherries, menthol, incense, crème de cassis and dark spices are some of the many signatures that take shape in the glass. Even better in bottle than it was in barrel, the 2013 is utterly magnificent. This is a remarkably vivid, nuanced wine considering its sheer size.