Dominus
A First Growth in Napa
Along with Opus One, Dominus is one of the greatest examples of applying the Bordelais approach to winemaking to the great vineyards of the Napa Valley. Grapes are sourced from Yountville, specifically the historic Napanook vineyard, from which the winery's second wine takes its name.
The 'Grand Vin' is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot - a classic Bordeaux blend. After vinification, around 30% of the wine is loaded into new oak barrels for 15 months before bottling. Initial releases of Dominus met with mixed reviews, but since the late 1990s, the winery has established itself as one of the greatest in America.