Working On A Small Dominus Vertical

[craig_v]

Back when I first started getting serious about wine again the '97 Dominus was one of hot Cabs released in 2000, I think? I had bought some '96s in '99 and loved them but could never pull the trigger on the '97 which shot up in price significantly with the '97 vintage of the century hype. So as soon as I was a fan I was off the program and pretty much ignored the producers until Dave Dalluge came along with a beautifull '91 that reminded me of a top $500 Paulliac. I still didn’t buy anymore untill Chris Larson brought a '97 to a dinner a couple years ago and it too rocked. I’ve since bought the 05, 06 and now 07s. I may go back and backfill some 96, 97 and 01s if I can find a source I trust. In an age of $175 plus Napa Cabs like Insignia, Dominus now looks like semi bargain at $119 for the '07.

[chaad_thomas]

Verticle

Ver"ti*cle, n. [L. verticula a joint.] An axis; hinge; a turning point.

[craig_v]

Sorry, I got an F once in spelling as a kid.

@chaad thomas

Verticle

Ver"ti*cle, n. [L. verticula a joint.] An axis; hinge; a turning point.

[chaad_thomas]

@craig vanderah

Sorry, I got an F once in spelling as a kid.

@chaad thomas

Verticle

Ver"ti*cle, n. [L. verticula a joint.] An axis; hinge; a turning point.

No need for apology, it’s spelled correctly.

It’s a lexical error, and one that conjured a funny image at that, so absolutely no need for apology; I was just teasing. Sorry for the OT distraction.

[scott_c]

I agree completely. I’ve discovered that Dominus is right in my wheelhouse, and outperforms almost all big name California Cab/blends on a consistent basis, as well as going toe-to-toe with much from Bordeaux. Thanks to Jay Carroll, I’ve been able to taste several mid-1990s vintages, many of which are still young and vibrant and show an ability for long aging. A recent 1987 was not quite as good as expected, but that may have been the bottle. The 1995 and 1997 showed well last night: TN: 1990s California Cabernet - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[craig_v]

Nice lineup of CA Cabs. I’d like to taste some old Mondavi.

@scott c l a f f e e

I agree completely. I’ve discovered that Dominus is right in my wheelhouse, and outperforms almost all big name California Cab/blends on a consistent basis, as well as going toe-to-toe with much from Bordeaux. Thanks to Jay Carroll, I’ve been able to taste several mid-1990s vintages, many of which are still young and vibrant and show an ability for long aging. A recent 1987 was not quite as good as expected, but that may have been the bottle. The 1995 and 1997 showed well last night: TN: 1990s California Cabernet - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LColhouer]

@scott c l a f f e e

A recent 1987 was not quite as good as expected, but that may have been the bottle.

No, it wasn’t the bottle or you, it’s the 87…and I’d add the 89 to that same list. They have not gone the distance and are shells of their former selves relative to other vintages IMO. But line me up some 91, or that gorgeous 94…oh boy, that’s a fine Dominus.

[David_Walker]

At least week’s CA cab tasting, the '07 Dominus was outstanding.

This past November, the '91 was embarrassed by the '90 - a shock to all of us.

[scott_c]

@LColhouer

@scott c l a f f e e

A recent 1987 was not quite as good as expected, but that may have been the bottle.

No, it wasn’t the bottle or you, it’s the 87…and I’d add the 89 to that same list. They have not gone the distance and are shells of their former selves relative to other vintages IMO. But line me up some 91, or that gorgeous 94…oh boy, that’s a fine Dominus.

I need to get me some 1994! I was expecting more out of the 1987 because I had seen some great scores and notes in CT (even within the last year), including from Loren Sonkin, who says it has always been his favorite.

[Ken_V]

@LColhouer

@scott c l a f f e e

A recent 1987 was not quite as good as expected, but that may have been the bottle.

No, it wasn’t the bottle or you, it’s the 87…and I’d add the 89 to that same list. They have not gone the distance and are shells of their former selves relative to other vintages IMO. But line me up some 91, or that gorgeous 94…oh boy, that’s a fine Dominus.

I must disagree. The 87 from my cellar is still one of the 2 or 3 best Dominus. Domini? Dominuses?

[Gene_M]

One of the 1st verticals I had was Dominus 83 → 97. I poked so many holes in it over the past few years. I think what I have left is: 83, 84, 87, 89, 92, 95 and 97. The 85, 91, 94 were all quite memorable. Hands down the 94’s are stellar but the 99 pnts give them a $200 price tag. Hard to pay that re-admission/re-acquisition fee even to a damn fine wine.

I’m gonna check into either the 83, 84, 87 or 89 with some Beserker’s Feb 3rd. These vintages can be kinda polarizing. I know I’ve liked some whiel others didn’t and vice versa.

It is the neat thing about older BDX style Napa cabs to me.

Recently I started back up buying some Dominus and look foward to checking in on the 1999, 2000 (ugh, tough year), 02, 04 and 05. Shame they don’t offer visits or tastings.

[craig_v]

The '96 was awefully good on release. Has anyone been tracking it?

[David_Walker]

@craig vanderah

The '96 was awefully good on release. Has anyone been tracking it?

I had one about a year ago and it was, for me, still very young. I saw it the cellar last Friday and almost opened one. I’ll probably try another soon.

[LColhouer]

@craig vanderah

The '96 was awefully good on release. Has anyone been tracking it?

I did and concluded last year that, IMO, it will never be a really great (again, like say a 91 or 94) Dominus. I moved along an unopened 6pk. A very good wine for sure, but not quite the stuff of the early hype on it

[Mike_S]

I have some 91 and 94. Let me know when you are in Los Angeles and we can set up a dinner.

[Craig_Roush]

I tasted my first Dominus last year, a 2007, and loved it. Now I’m finallly planning on buying some of that vintage, and also looking to pick up a '94 based on what I’ve heard. I haven’t heard anyone really mention the '06 - anyone have comments on it?

[David_Walker]

@David Walker

@craig vanderah

The '96 was awefully good on release. Has anyone been tracking it?

I had one about a year ago and it was, for me, still very young. I saw it the cellar last Friday and almost opened one. I’ll probably try another soon.

Well, I finally got around to opening a bottle of the '96 tonight and it’s fantastic! Better than I remember it being the last time I had it. Great minty nose. For me, it’s fully mature and should continue to drink very well for several years to come. I have one more bottle in the cellar that I’ll probably hold for a few more years.

[Blake_J_o_h_n_s_o_n]

@scott c l a f f e e

@LColhouer

@scott c l a f f e e

A recent 1987 was not quite as good as expected, but that may have been the bottle.

No, it wasn’t the bottle or you, it’s the 87…and I’d add the 89 to that same list. They have not gone the distance and are shells of their former selves relative to other vintages IMO. But line me up some 91, or that gorgeous 94…oh boy, that’s a fine Dominus.

I need to get me some 1994! I was expecting more out of the 1987 because I had seen some great scores and notes in CT (even within the last year), including from Loren Sonkin, who says it has always been his favorite.

Hey Scott, I saw some '84s on Wine Bid. I plan to pick up one for my GF (her birth year) because she decided that the '94 was her WOTN and will now drink nothing less. Thanks?

[Daniel_McIntosh]

Of all the Dominus from the 80s, the 87 was the only one that for me, while a very fine wine indeed, did not live up to expectations. Expectations brought about by the high Parker score, no doubt. The 88 and 89 (especially), not super high scorers, at age 20 were for me fantastic performers.

[Enzo_Ruffalo]