[B329] DOMINUS NAPA VALLEY 2020 750ml

Dominus Estate produces world-class, Bordeaux-style blends that beautifully marry the rich fruit concentration of Napa Valley with the structure, restraint, and complexity of fine Bordeaux. Sourced entirely from the historic, dry-farmed Napanook Vineyard, the estate focuses on minimalist winemaking to allow the unique terroir of the Yountville AVA to shine. Dominus is the ultimate expression of the estate. This profound, powerful, and deeply complex Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend is celebrated for its seamless structure, polished tannins, and extraordinary aging potential. It is a legendary collectible.

>>>Read more stories at the News Archive

I'd put the 2020 Dominus up with the best in the vintage, and Tod Mostero commented that he actually liked the 2020 more than the 2019. I wouldn't go that far, but there's no denying this is a beautiful wine loaded with darker currants, cassis, graphite, and chalky minerality. It's medium to full-bodied, has a dense, inward, concentrated style, fine-grained tannins, and a solid mid-palate of both power and finesse. JD95

An excellent wine, the 2020 Dominus delivers waves of dark fruit—think predominantly cassis. A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, it's full-bodied and richly textured, perhaps a bit warm and open-knit because of the summer's heat, but with a long, velvety finish attractively tinged with mocha and dark chocolate. RP95

Director of Viticulture and Winemaking Tod Mostero pointed out that low-rainfall years—like 2020—can be some of the best performers at Dominus. That said, when rainfall is just a bit more than half of the average of the past 25 years, it can't help but impact the wine. Coupled with the season's warmth, yields were down substantially.

After picking, the fruit was then sorted extensively by hand and run through an optical sorter. Harvesting wrapped up prior to the Glass Fire ignition on September 27. "We produced only 30% of a normal crop." said Mostero.