Rick Phillips

9.6

After 35 years I was not expecting much. Especially when the cork disintegrated on opening. Aureated on decanting and was happily surprised. After about 20 minutes opened to dark chocolate, leather but so smooth. The last glass was pure delight. Howell Mountain at its best! — 13 days ago

with Letha

Bob McDonald

9.7

I had this a week ago but didn’t take any notes at all at a friends tasting last Sunday afternoon. Have always been a huge fan of Dominus and this was from an exceptional vintage. I recall an excellent left bank Cabernet dominant style but presented as a Napa style - rich and plush but not overly so. Thoroughly enjoyable. — 2 months ago

John Malcolm

9.2

Beautiful wine. Slightly prefer the 1999, which I had last night. The ‘99 was musty and tasted lots of mushrooms. The ‘01 is still earthy, but fruitier. Dark fruits, with a bit of tobacco and cedar. — 4 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.6

Medium deep ruby , garnet rim . Quite closed at first , touch of spice , wood smoke , grafite , coffee, cocoa . Touches of blackberry , cassis , violet . On the palate quite rich and young still , lots of tannin , balanced alcohol and fresh acidity . Cassis , tobacco , blackberry . Mineral , tobacco tinged finish of excellent length . Still young needs more time , better in 5 or 10 years and will last well a further 20. Great potential ! — 5 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium deep ruby , quite narrow rim . Touch of earthy menthol , tobacco , spicy blackcurrant, grafite . On the palate quite dusty , with earthy sous bois , blackcurrant, ripe blackberry , grafite and tobacco , cocoa hints. Quite rich but balanced , good acidity, quite dusty tannins . This is probably at peak now though will last well another decade perhaps . — 25 days ago

LM Segal

10

Without doubt the greatest sticky I’ve ever tasted. I nosed it for 30 mins, it was so clear and bright with tropical fruit and light stony minerality. The apricot and mango were lifted over my palate by actual angels who may’ve swiped a taste on the brief journey. Wish I could’ve sat up with a last glass all night, thank you Lenny. 🙏🏼 — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Deep purple , thin ruby pink rim . Spicy cassis , touch of coconut , violets , blackberry liqueur and meaty, orange rind , slightly medicinal , iodine character . On the palate lovely density , blackcurrant , blackberry , saline and mineral reflexes . Lots of fine , polished quite dry tannins and surprising freshness . Long mineral stained finish , vanilla and cassis stained finish . After a while in the glass this really starts to show its mineral , crushed rock and iodine character. Intense and hugely powerful but also incredibly well balanced , with no warmth from the 14,5% alcohol, finishes dry and savoury , a real feat of engineering! Needs another 10-15 years and will last well a further 15-20 — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2002 vintage. Last tasted 10.06.22 (9.4). Similar "gliding along" impressions with feminine characteristics. This bottle (nice fill, cork and decent sed) was a goody. Decanted and tasted after 5 mins, 30 mins and 2 hours. Bit more structure evident after two hours open as to be a different, yet fantastic, wine. Funny how some of these underwhelming, less than aggro wines can take on another life of their own, on their terms, by gently removing all doubt. Still another 5-7 years-easy. 11.21.24. — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Drinking well with its dried red fruit, berry, cassis , cedar, leather, earth, graphite & tobacco notes. Sadly my last btl out of 2 owc’s purchased on release — 3 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium deep ruby with ruby pink rim. Spicy cassis , dark blackberry , violets , red pepper. A touch herbaceous with tobacco and graphite. On the pallet, nice volume, ripe blackberry , dark cherry, cassis, with that herbal touch from the nose. Quite firm sweet tannin and balanced acidity . Medium length graphite and cassis tinged finish. This is still quite young but approachable, will last well over the coming 10 years or so. — 3 months ago