Dominus   Dominus Napanook

2010 Dominus Napanook

By Dominus

2010 Dominus Napanook by Dominus, Napa Valley, USA

The 2010 vintage invites us to indulge in an exceptional expression of the terroirs of Napa Valley, presented through the highly acclaimed offering of the Dominus Estate. Embodying the character of a remarkable season dominated by cool temperatures and marked by unexpected heat spikes, the 2010 Dominus Napanook straddles the old-world austerity with new-world vivacity.

 

An Expression of a Dynamic Vintage

Creating a compelling dialogue between contrasting weather patterns, this vintage demonstrates how fine wines from the USA have cemented their notable position on the global stage. The blend is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with nuanced contributions from Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc - a sculpted choir that sings throughout every sip.

The maturity of tannins interweaves with riding acidity full of energy, creating an exquisite form. Breath-taking nuances of forest floor, herbal notes and bold black fruit flavours showcase the beauty of complexity that the 2010 growing season brought.

 

An Investment in Napa Valley

Investors seeking value will admire how Dominus has perfected their craft in a challenging vintage, a testament to their consistent pursuit for excellence. This wine continues to evolve gracefully in the bottle, promising exceptional potential for further ageing.

Integrating Californian sunshine and French winemaking philosophy, the 2010 Dominus Napanook remains securely anchored among some of the leading Crus Classés in Bordeaux. Exploring this extraordinary fine wine offers insight into the authority and authenticity encapsulated within its elegant structure.

 

Unlocking Aspirations

2010 unveiled a vintage defined by its dynamism, dominated by chilly conditions punctuated with sporadic hot spells. The resulting 2010 Dominus Napanook from Dominus captures the distinctive attributes of the year, heralding an admirable embodiment of fine wines from USA.

With resplendent depth, dramatic balance and longevity, this wine gracefully chronicles its climatic journey to produce a narrative that entraps the senses; an opus to become a treasured component of any discerning wine portfolio.

Market price (GBP)

£610.00

12x75cl

Highest score

92

POP score

50.83

Scores and tasting notes

92

The 2010 Napanook (98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot) reveals a pungent, spicy, earthy, slightly herbal nose, and an exuberant mouthfeel with lots of plum, licorice, red and black currants and a hint of sweet cherries. The wine is slightly more in-your-face and aggressive than most Napanooks, but I enjoyed its exuberant style. Drink this beautiful 2010 over the next 12-15 years. Looking at the harvest dates for the 2009 through 2012 Napanook and Dominus reveals that none of these were early, very warm years, such as 2013 is promising to be in northern California. For example, in 2009 the harvest took place between October 5 and 12; 2010 between October 4 and 23; 2011 between October 15 and 24; and 2012 between October 9 and 21. Production has remained steady because the estate crop-thins as much as 50% of the harvest to ensure bunch regularity, even ripening and reasonable yields. The second wine, Napanook, tends to come in around 3,000 cases per year, and Dominus around 5,000 cases per year. I was joking with Christian Moueix when I visited the winery and I told him I am one of the geezers old enough to remember his first vintage of 1983, which was tasted at the Rombauer Cellars until he moved to what appears to be an old bank building in downtown St. Helena, after which they constructed a spectacular winery in Yountville that resembles an extension of their historic terroir. Another great vintage, the 2012s have slightly lower alcohols than the 2009s and 2010s, which surprised me given the exuberant nature of this vintage and its boisterous fruit and glycerin. I was shocked to realize that 2013 will mark over thirty vintages for Christian Moueix and Dominus, not to mention my visits each year. How time flies! Tel. (707) 944-8954

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 30 October 2013

Vintage performance