Proprietary Red Blends
Dominus 1994 is the first vintage produced by the Dominus Estate Corporation (wholly owned by Christian Moueix), and is made solely from grapes grown on the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, California.
Comparable in quality to the 1991 vintage, the 1994 vintage is a classic Dominus wine. The final blend represents exactly the percentage of the varietals planted in the vineyard. It is without a doubt one of the great Dominus wines produced.
The 1994 growing season was the longest on record at the Napanook Vineyard since Christian Moueix began farming it in 1982: 186 days between budbreak and harvest. Dry, with moderate temperatures, this long, mild season allowed the fruit to develop to full, balanced maturity.
Beginning date of harvest: 09/19/1994
Ending date of harvest: 10/21/1994
Average days of Cuvaison: 18 days
Blend:72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot< br /> Barrel regime: 16 months in French oak barrels � hand racked every three months
Percentage of new oak: 40%
Craig's Comments
Robert Parker -99ptsChristian Moueix and his talented wine making team continue to rewrite the definition of a Napa Valley reference point wine. I have had a difficult time keeping the corks in my bottles of 1994 Dominus. Eight-thousand cases were produced from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. In this vintage, 174 days passed between bud break and the harvest, a remarkable period of time for any wine region in the world. The 1994 is a strikingly thick, compellingly rich wine with the texture of a great Pomerol, despite being made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon.�
�The wine exhibits a dense purple color, and an incredibly fragrant nose of jammy black fruits, spice, smoke, and loamy, truffle-like scents. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, with thrilling levels of extract and richness, but no sense of heaviness or harshness. This seamless Dominus possesses no hard edges, as its acidity, tannin, and alcohol are beautifully meshed with copious quantities of ripe fruit. This wine offers early drinking, yet has the potential to last for 30+ years.�
Wine Spectator -94pts
�A complex and concentrated red, with a pretty, earthy core of anise- and currant-tinged Cabernet flavors, it slowly unfolds to reveal notes of coffee and spice. Smooth and polished in texture, it's approachable now and over the next few years. The latest in a long line of distinctive Cabernet-blend wines from Dominus.�