Dominus Napa Valley 2023
100 Points! The 2023 Dominus is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Opaque purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal a powerful core of blackcurrant jelly, ripe black plums, and fresh blueberries, followed by hints of menthol, crushed rocks, dried sage, black truffles, and black olives. The full-bodied palate is both generous and energetic, displaying an impressive array of savory and earthy nuances among the dense black fruit layers and a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and beautiful tension, finishing with epic length. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW
99 Points! Black currant, pencil shaving, subtle sandalwood, wet earth, forest floor and violet aromas follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate with ultra-fine tannins that integrate perfectly at the end. A polished and caressing texture that goes on for minutes. The balance and drinkability of this Dominus is terrific, and it will age beautifully. A blend of 87% cabernet sauvignon, 9% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. From organically grown grapes. Very drinkable now, but will age beautifully. - JamesSuckling.com
Some wines are great every year.
And then there are vintages that stand apart.
The 2023 Dominus Estate is shaping up to be one of those wines.
Founded by Christian Moueix, the visionary behind Château Pétrus and other legendary Bordeaux estates, Dominus was always designed to bring a Bordeaux sensibility to Napa Valley. The estate sits in Yountville, where cooler conditions allow Cabernet Sauvignon to develop with balance, precision, and restraint.
That vision has paid off.
Since 2010, Dominus has produced a remarkable run of wines, including multiple 100 point vintages, cementing its place among Napa’s most collectible producers.
But what makes 2023 especially compelling is what came before it.
There was no 2022 Dominus produced. The vintage did not meet the estate’s standards, and the wine was never released. That puts even more focus on 2023.
And what a vintage it is.
The growing season allowed for perfectly timed harvest decisions, meaning the wine reflects exactly what the vineyard was capable of producing. The blend is 87 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 percent Cabernet Franc, and 4 percent Petit Verdot, aged with a restrained approach to new oak to preserve purity and structure.
In the glass, the wine is all about refinement and precision.
Mulberry, cassis, and perfectly ripe Cabernet fruit unfold in layers. The texture is seamless, the structure is present but never heavy, and the wine moves across the palate with energy and lift rather than weight.
Critics have already taken notice.
Early scores include 100 points, 99 points, and multiple high 90s ratings, with praise centered on the wine’s balance, transparency, and long-term potential.
This is not a flashy Napa Cabernet.
It is a serious, age-worthy wine that will continue to evolve for decades.
For collectors, this is exactly the kind of vintage that defines a legacy estate.
| Color | Red |
|---|---|
| JS Score | 99 |
| LPB | 100 |
| Grapes | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintages | 2023 |
| Sizes | 750ml |
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