The 2012 Dominus Estate is a richly textured, impeccably balanced Napa Valley red, earning 98 points from both The Wine Advocate and James Suckling. A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, it offers layers of black currant, violet, spice, and earthy cocoa. Full-bodied and seamless, it reflects an ideal vintage with opulent fruit, velvety tannins, and impressive aging potential through 2045.

The Wine Advocate | RP 98+
Published: Oct 30, 2015
Drink: 2015-2045

The exuberance and drama in the stunning nose of the dense plum-colored 2012 Dominus offers up notes of Asian spice, ripe, black currants, kirsch, tobacco leaf and Christmas fruitcake. It is full-bodied and opulent, with no hard edges, a seamless integration of acidity, wood and tannin and a density and richness that are built to go on for 25-30 years. 

Jamessuckling.com | JS 98
Published: Nov 1, 2015

Fabulous purity and clarity of fruit. Black currants, blackberries and violets. Full body, big soft tannins and a chocolate, hazelnut and dark fruit character. Some hot stones too. Ripe, velvety and fruity finish. Better in 2020 but delicious to drink now. Wonderful Dominus. 

Decanter | D 98
Published: Jan 29, 2024
Drink: 2024-2044 

It rained a lot in the spring of 2012, and as of early 2024, the wine is still very compact. There's a cheerful quality, with black fruit, dried violets, and lilacs. A deep sense of earthy richness is just beginning to show itself, but as much as the 2013 suggestion, there is real cellar potential. 2012 is an overlooked vintage, stuck between the cool and rainy 2011 and the highly-praised 2013 vintage, but if you have any 2012 in your cellar, try it today and try it again in 5, 10, and 15 years. It will still be going. It has the balanced acidity and integration of precise tannins to age, and it's delivering a host of upfront pleasure right now in a soft, velvety and refreshing form, with such scintillating acidity as to be one of the most food-friendly Dominus reds in the last couple of decades. Not to be overlooked.

Dominusestate.com

Tasting Notes:
The Dominus 2012 exemplifies the finest qualities of Cabernet Sauvignon from an ideal vintage. The intriguing nose offers a depth of aromas including lavender, Asian spices and cedar. Soft, supple tannins buoy layers of dark earth and cocoa. The wine is racy yet refined with a long elegant finish.

2012 enjoyed a perfect growing season. Plentiful rainfall in March and April lessened winter drought concerns, and a mild spring with few temperature fluctuations contributed to an even budbreak and a healthy bloom. Summer temperatures were consistently warm, without excessive heat spikes, which provided conditions for slow, homogenous maturation of fruit, exhibiting great character and richness.

2012 DOMINUS Napa Valley
Napanook Vineyard, Yountville, CA
Harvest Start: October 9
Harvest End: October 21
Bottling Date: July 2014
Percent New Barrels: 40%
Cases Produced: 5000
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 93%, Cabernet Franc: 2%, Petit Verdot: 5%
Release Date: June 2015