1991 Dominus Proprietary Blend - USA - California - Napa - Napa Valley - Red

Drank at CP. First taste was pretty bad, but we decanted it. Took about 45 minutes to open up, but it became a real treat to drink. We loved it!!!

A beautiful wine, like drinking a very good Bordeaux. Don't think it will get any better, but should have 3 years left.

Dark ruby, no hints of lightening. Gorgeous nose of strawberries, earth, and a hint of herbaceousness. Blind I would have guessed the 86 pichon lalande. Still tastes very young, with velvety mouthcoating tannins. Very plush in the mouth despite the tannic structure. Reasonably long finish. Not a lot of acidity, which to my taste makes it taste a little flabbier than the best bordeaux. Very good wine, but a little disappointing relative to expectations and the nose.

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 oldest of the 2nd flight.) Color: Brick red, similar to others in the flight. Aroma: Less aromatic than others in the flight. Flavor: Smooth. Possibly favorite of the 2nd flight.

Drank with Sergio and Tui. Decanted about 2-3 hours. This bottle may have had some heat damage, did not show nearly as well as previous bottle last year (95pts). Finish was a bit abrupt and showed signs of seepage from truck delivery. Stil was very full and very big. Lovely cassis and minerality. Very old world style, best CA for me. If finish came around would have put in the A rank, but for now will not rate as think the wine is better than this bottle showed.

Purchased 2 bottles from POP's 10/05. (020000) Had first bottle in May, 2007. One of the most memorable (if not the most memorable) wines I have had. Amazingly mellow and food friendly in a classic left bank Bordeaux style. Although richly textured now with 16 years of age on the bottle, still has plenty of fruit and will definitely last another decade at its peak (maybe longer?). A true classic. ***** Purchased another 3 bottles from JJ Buckley 11/07. (0225)