The 2018 Dominus Estate is an exceptional expression of Napa Valley's potential, showcasing the delicate balance between power and finesse. The nose is alluring, with notes of blue flowers, black fruit, and sandalwood, alongside hints of blackcurrants and earthy undertones. On the palate, it delivers generous layers of Bing cherry, spiced plums, and blackberry, with finely textured tannins that gradually build. The wine finishes with a lingering touch of stony minerals, wildflowers, and dark fruit.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 100
Published: May 29, 2021

This is incredible on the nose, offering hot stones, blackcurrants, iodine and wet earth. Full-bodied with a tight center palate, then it opens with a tannin structure that is weightless and spreads across the palate. Totally integrated on the palate. This is a magic-carpet wine. Really incredible. One of the reference points for the vintage. Drinkable now and please try a bottle, but it’s one for the cellar.

The Wine Advocate | RP 99+
Published: Feb 26, 2021
Drink: 2026-2056

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Dominus slowly emerges from the glass with profound notes of blackcurrant cordial, ripe black plums, boysenberries and Black Forest cake with hints of violets, star anise, cracked black pepper, raspberry leaves and pencil lead, plus a touch of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers impactful black fruit layers, creating a beguiling sense of richness that is beautifully countered by invigorating freshness and great poise, framed by super ripe, plush tannins and beautiful tension, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note and, finally, lots of mineral sparks. For all that it is at the moment, one cannot help but feel that this 2018 is holding something back. Give it a good five years in bottle, at least, and then get set for what I suspect will be a mind-blowing transformation over the next 30 years+.

"This is an example of a cool ripening vintage," Dominus's technical director, Tod Mostero, said. "It was a late season—everything was late from budbreak onward. We started harvesting on October 1st, then we got about an inch of rain, so we stopped, then we started again on the 9th and continued to the 15th."

Proprietor Christian Moueix added, "We thought the elements of the 2018 vintage were very refined, and we wanted to play on that in the wine. It was the wines with a lot of delicacy and precision that went into the Dominus blend this year."

The grace, purity and precision of this 2018 Dominus is absolutely captivating right now. And yet, poised on the brink of perfection, its promise of something more with time in bottle is at the heart of its allure. Embrace this wine for the very fact that it doesn't give you everything up front and all at once. 

Decanter | D 98
Published: Jan 29, 2024
Drink: 2024-2050 

It is a polished wine with tremendous energy. Leads with a stunning blue floral note, accompanied by black fruit and sandalwood. Medium to full-bodied with a ripe and generous fruit profile that takes centre stage, singing a song of Bing cherry, spiced plums, blackberry and delicate, almost powdery tannins that build in pixelated fashion on the palate. Expressive stony minerals emerge on the lengthy finish, joined by wildflowers and pure dark fruit.

Dominusestate.com

Perfectly balanced, Dominus 2018 maintains focus on the palate with aromas of sweet blue fruit, jasmine,
cardamom, layers of plum and caramel. e wine nishes very long with lift and acceleration.

Vintage Summary
At Dominus Estate, the 2018 season started late and harvest from October 1-15 was 12 days later than our historical average. Seasonal rainfall was light (22” versus 31” annual average) and the beginning of
summer remained consistently warm. In late summer, temperatures dropped below norms with morning fog in August and September. e fruit ripened slowly in the absence of heat spikes and harvest began
with Cabernet Franc on October 1. A storm system which brought 1.2” of rain on October 2 and 3 interrupted picking. Hot and very dry weather returned on October 5 and harvest continued with Cabernet
Sauvignon on October 9, followed by Petit Verdot. We picked 94% of our fruit between October 9 – 15.
The grapes were full and ripe and the resulting wines are deep, complex and well-articulated.

Harvest Start: October 1
Harvest End: October 15
Bottling Date: June 2020
Percent New Barrels: 40%
Cases Produced: 4000
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 89%, Cabernet Franc: 6%, Petit Verdot: 5%
Release Date: June 2021