2003 Dominus

The 2003 Dominus is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot (14.1% alcohol). Remarkably, it is the 20th vintage for Christian Moueix. Always a Bordeaux-inspired wine with restraint yet substance as well as a textured richness, the 2003 exhibits a deep plum/ruby/purple color, a creamy, opulent texture, no hard edges, and a wonderful sweetness of foresty, black currant and cherry fruit mixed with underbrush and hints of Chinese black tea. Well-proportioned and full-bodied, yet never over-stated or out of balance, this is another beauty from Moueix. Drink it over the next 15+ years. This famous estate with a historic vineyard in Yountville was once the backbone of all the great Inglenook Cabernets made by John Daniel. Tel. (707) 944-8954; Fax (707) 944-0547

Good ruby-red. Rich, smoky, expressive aromas of plum, currant, licorice, tobacco, game and leather. Suave and lush in the mouth, with explosive flavors of currant and graphite. Quite suave and pliant, offering excellent balance and full, broad, well-buffered tannins. This is just over 14% alcohol. The non-decanted version showed aromas of plum, redcurrant, mocha and nutty oak, and hints of tobacco leaf and licorice in the mouth. Though it was tighter and more firmly tannic, it also showed considerable early complexity. This distinctly claret-like vintage may well merit an even higher score with six to eight years of bottle aging.

(88% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot) Good dark red. Aromatic nose offers redcurrant, leather, game and tobacco. Sweet, fleshy and fine-grained, with an exotic spice character. Quite aromatic today and much sweeter than the Napa nook 2003. More harmonious on the front half, and much more accessible today. Finishes with broad tannins and lingering notes of cherry, leather and spices.