1996 Dominus Estate Red Blend Napa Valley

Winemaker Notes:  The 1996 Vintage exhibits a deep garnet robe with ripe flavors of blackberries, dried cherries and hints of violets, allspice, vanilla and tobacco. Silky tannins and a long and complex finish balance its warm, luscious and elegant body. As with all Dominus wines, we recommend decanting this wine prior to serving, to allow it to develop its full potential. CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "The 1996 Dominus, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, tips the scales at 14.2% alcohol. Although this offering lacks the power, intensity, and compelling characteristics of the 1991 and 1994, it is not far off the pace of those two monumental wines. A super nose of roasted coffee, chocolate, dried herbs, black fruits and kirsch is both intense and persuasive. The wine displays terrific richness, medium to full body, low acidity, a succulent, opulent texture, and superb purity. This beautifully made 1996 is one of the few wines that has successfully tamed the vintage's elevated tannin level. It should be relatively drinkable upon its release, yet evolve nicely for two decades. Impressive!"