Dominus Estate

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021

Was handed a glass of this and without even knowing anything was incredibly impressed. Thought it to be a French wine too, had no inkling it was Napa Cab. Beautiful purple colors that showcases a robust and complex bouquet of blackberries, dark cherry, tobacco, and chocolate. Has some spices too but they are pinned back by the fruit. Medium tannins with medium+ acids, super smooth and well balanced. Vanilla cola, cedar, black currants and more tobacco and chocolate give it a robust and lively blend. Great finish! — 21 days ago

Andrew, Vin and 2 others liked this

Jarvis Winery

Estate Grown Cave Fermented Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Shay A
9.4

On my first trip out to Napa (2015), Jarvis was one of the favorites, and so we went back in 2016 and again in 2018. We go to Napa every year, and it’s one of the only wineries we have visited multiple times.

This was part of a retrospective on 2012 Napa cabs, alongside Shafer HSS, Scarecrow, Morlet CdV, Bryant DB4, Dominus, Pulido Walker Melanson, Kapscandy, Buccella Cuvee Katrina Eileen and others. Definitely the most restrained.

For some reason, I always get a streak of green peppercorn on all of the reds from Jarvis. It’s not off putting, just a signature of the winemaking. I’ve never found these wines to be overblown/high alcohol. They aren’t quite Bordeaux like, but they are clearly in between current Napa style and a restrained bridge to Bordeaux. This 2012 was true to the above. Aromatics here has green peppercorn, tar, underripe black fruits and a very fragrant potpourri note. Even after being open a few hours this was strong with zippy acidity surrounded by pepper crusted blackberries, mocha, black cherries and even some leather (not Brett driven, though). Blind, maybe someone takes this to left bank Bordeaux in a ripe vintage…but the kiss of sweetness is hard to take away from Napa. Wonderfully delicious and complex Cabernet starting to enter a great drinking window.

— 3 years ago

Matt, Tom and 39 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Hey @Shay A ! I’m going to be in Dallas the week of April 16th and was hoping we could share a bottle that Thursday, or Tuesday, night. Drop me best way to contact and coordinate if it works on your end! All the best -Eli
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Paul K : Cool! Send me a text and we’ll see if we can make it happen. 325.660.6180
Paul K

Paul K

👍

E. Guigal

La Turque Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2004

Shay A
9.5

Opened as part of a 2-day tasting with Alex Macdonald while he was in town. Day two was a small group of us with killer wines (2010 Chave Hermitage, mag of ‘02 Krug, Selosse Substance, 1996 Latour, 2003 Mouton, 1992 Dominus).

Quick one hour double decant to prep this beauty. While La Mouline is my favorite, La Turque still incorporates the co-ferment with Viognier. 93 Syrah/7 Viognier.

Beautiful translucent ruby in the glass. As I get with certain Cote Rotie wines (especially Guigal), barbecue and bacon fat can be overwhelming when young, but this has channeled a really balanced profile. Aromatic notes of smoked meat, cherry liqueur, and espresso. Beautifully rich yet elegant on the palate. Great nerve of acidity with a finish sporting plenty of tannin to carry this a while. Black peppered raspberries, black fruit on the palate with a little bacon and a hint of sweet/tangy barbecue sauce note (delicious). Enjoy now with a short decant or hold another 5yrs.
— a year ago

Paul, Ted and 25 others liked this

Liparita

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1991

Incredible. Had low expectations and this was as good as Dominus easily — 4 years ago

Severn, Shay and 6 others liked this

Araujo Estate

Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

This wine was our unanimous winner in our cult Cali blind tasting held back in 2012 against some big hitters, Dominus, Shrader, Shafer Hillside etc. Med bodied in an opulent style with good balance & length showing notes of blackberry, creme de cassis, forest floor, graphite, licorice & violet. — 5 years ago

Severn, Ryan and 13 others liked this

Vérité

La Joie Sonoma County Red Blend 2014

Drank right after Dominus. Similar in style, perhaps even more finessed. Absolutely old world in character — a month ago

Jan, Scott@Mister and 5 others liked this

Abreu Vineyards

Madrona Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Pure blackcurrant perfectly articulated with dark chocolate, blue fruit and pipe tobacco. Mostly cab that made me think older Dominus, a Bordeaux style in Napa. In a perfect place with a few hours in decanter. — 2 years ago

Vino, Alan and 22 others liked this

William Cole Vineyards

Cuvée Claire Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

One of the best wines I have ever enjoyed. Just wow. It surpassed my 1994 Dominus benchmark. — 4 years ago

Shay liked this

Carpe Diem

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

By Dominus. All Napa Valley fruit. — 5 years ago

Ron, Shawn and 1 other liked this