Dominus Estate 2013

Dominus Estate's Dominus is a Californian wine, produced on the west side of Napa Valley. Christian Moueix runs the winery with great passion and expertise, putting into practice the various techniques and experience learned over the years in France, particularly in Bordeaux. Already in the early 1970s he experimented with organic farming and started using new drainage systems in the vineyards, revolutionising vine care. Christian's working philosophy is to provide the best possible environmental conditions, so that sustainable and flourishing ecosystems can be created for the production of wines of rare and unsurpassed quality. The first bottle of Dominus was released in 1983, soon climbing the ranks of the world's best bottles.

The Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grapes in Dominus Estate's Dominus come from the historic Napanook vineyard in Yountville; the chosen growing regime is organic, a practice that is part of a multi-year campaign to restore the environment and native biodiversity: practices in the vineyard support the natural growth and development phases of the plants and raw material in synergy with the local wildlife. The microclimate is special: cold springs with delayed flowering and budding, while summers are hot and sultry and winters characterised by copious rainfall. Harvesting of the grapes begins around mid-October and continues for the next 10 days; alcoholic fermentation takes place in steel and ageing in French oak barriques for 18 months.

The colour of Dominus Estate is a dark red with intense, impenetrable reflections. The nose perceives aromas of blueberries, ripe plums and wild berries, together with hints of blood orange and umami; in the mouth it is enveloping, elegant and soft with pronounced tannin and a lingering finish for a curious drink. In pairing it is excellent with grilled or stewed red meat, game and first courses with elaborate sauces; also perfect with blue cheeses made from cow's milk. A wine with unique and rare flavours and aromas that give an astonishing wine, almost a unicum on the wine scene. A product to reserve for unrepeatable occasions.