1994 Dominus Proprietary Blend - USA - California - Napa - Napa Valley - Red

Still well balanced and good expression of fruit. However it deteriorates in glass. Drink up now.

Consumed at wine tasting. (1st flight was horizontal, comparing 1994 CA Bordeaux blends. 2nd flight was vertical, comparing different Dominus vintages. This wine was the crossover, present in both flights.) Color: brick red, light rose edge, slow legs. Aroma: mineral, vegetal, most aromatic of the 1st flight. Flavor: Ripe, vegetal, medium tannins; was somewhat odd to my taste. I found it the worst of the 1st flight and best of the 2nd. Perhaps it opened up as it sat.

Deep, dark color not showing 14 years of age in any way. Luscious, powerful nose with dark fruits and lots of cedar/tobacco. Very very long finish. In beautiful shape but still young to me.

Parker is right on and the wine will get better. Needs two hours of air- Wow: "The wine exhibits a dense purple color, and an incredibly fragrant nose of jammy black fruits, spice, smoke, and loamy, truffle-like scents. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, with thrilling levels of extract and richness, but no sense of heaviness or harshness. This seamless Dominus possesses no hard edges, as its acidity, tannin, and alcohol are beautifully meshed with copious quantities of ripe fruit."

This was probably one of the finest California Cabs I've tasted-probably because it had a much more Bordeaux like quality than the normally simple sweetness that I associate with cabs. A lovely earthy character, deep dark fruit and balanced with supple tannin. Excellent.