Dominus 2012 | Wine Investment Offer

Testing Notes

"The exuberance and drama in the stunning nose of the dense plum-colored 2012 Dominus offers up notes of Asian spice, ripe, black currants, kirsch, tobacco leaf and Christmas fruitcake. It is full-bodied and opulent, with no hard edges, a seamless integration of acidity, wood and tannin and a density and richness that are built to go on for 25-30 years. Christian Moueix has probably had his two greatest back-to-back vintages to date with the 2012 and 2013. The 2012s, which are just being released, include the unbelievable Dominus, made of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc and coming in at 14.3% natural alcohol. I said last year that it reminded me somewhat of the 1991 and the 1994, which are both still very strong efforts and, while fully mature, showed no signs of decline if well-stored."

Robert Parker - erobertparker.com | Score: 98+ | #221, October 2015

Brand

JP Moueix is a négociant house founded by Jean-Pierre Moueix in 1937 which has been particularly important in the development of Pomerol's reputation. Now run by his son Christian, the jewel in JP Moueix's crown is undoubtedly Chateau Petrus which consistently produces the most valuable wines coming out of Bordeaux, just ahead of its Pomerol neighbour Le Pin. In 1982, when recommended by Robert Mondavi* to establish production in Napa Valley, Moueix identified Dominus Estate as the pick of the bunch and entered into partnership with the then-owners Robin Lail and Marcia Smith before becoming the sole owner in 1995. Since then the winery has steadily improved its critics' scores from high 80s, through low 90s to high 90s until it achieved its first perfect 100 with the 2010 vintage.

*Robert Mondavi is largely responsible for the development and success of California as a wine growing region and famous for his joint venture with Baron Philippe de Rothschild - of the 1st Growth Château Mouton Rothschild - to create Opus One.

Investment Analysis

Over the last five years, the 'Rest of the World 50' index - which Dominus is a key component of - has provided some very obvious and welcome diversity to Bordeaux alternatives:

Summary Points