Lot 333
DOMINUS ESTATE 1987 (3) WS 92 WA 96
DOMINUS ESTATE 1990 (1) WA 98
Lot 333 Details
DOMINUS ESTATE 1987 (3)
Napa Valley.
u. 2 x bn. 1 x vts. 3 x wrinkled labels. 1 x scraped label. 3 x scuffed capsules.
There were 6,500 cases produced of the 1987 Dominus. It is one of the great wines of the vintage in a year when a handful of California producers made profound Cabernets (i.e., Robert Mondavi Reserve, Dunn Howell Mountain, and Chateau Montelena). The wine is beginning to shut down, but it still displays a rich ruby color and an intensely spicy, fragrant nose of toasty vanillin oak, cassis, and cedar. In the mouth, this medium to full-bodied wine displays considerable tannins, fine integrated acidity, and an opulent, rich, spicy finish. WS 92 WA 96
DOMINUS ESTATE 1990 (1)
Napa Valley.
u. vts. wrinkled label. scuffed capsule.
This spectacularly complex, rich wine magically combines the finest elements of Napa Valley (strength, ripeness, and full body) with those of Bordeaux (finesse, elegance, and complexity). The opaque dark ruby/purple color suggests considerable intensity, low yields, and great richness. A huge, soaring bouquet offers aromas of cassis, black-cherries, subtle herbs, vanillin, and spices. This full-bodied, voluptuously-textured, super-concentrated, multi-dimensional wine is more flattering and opulent that previous Dominus vintages, which tended to be tannic as well as rich. Although approachable and already complex (I have already consumed three bottles), the magnificent 1990 Dominus should evolve gracefully for 20-30 years. WA 98