2010 Dominus "Napanook" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

SKU #1136605 95 points James Suckling

Fresh and floral with berry, light cedar and chocolate character. Full body with a dense center palate and gorgeous berry, chocolate and hazelnut. Long finish. One of the best Napanooks ever. Second wine of Dominus. (5/2014)

94 points Vinous

Dark red cherry, plum, spice, wild flowers and mint jump from the glass in the 2010 Napanook. Layered and totally sensual, the 2010 impresses for its balance. With time in the glass, the wine blossoms beautifully, filling out its frame with impeccable grace. Beams of minerality and acidity support the powerful, salivating finish. The 2010 Napanook is one of the wines of the vintage in its price range. The 2010 is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. The absence of Cabernet Franc and Merlot gives the 2010 much of its unique, compelling personality. (AG) (11/2013)

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2010 Napanook (98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot) reveals a pungent, spicy, earthy, slightly herbal nose, and an exuberant mouthfeel with lots of plum, licorice, red and black currants and a hint of sweet cherries. The wine is slightly more in-your-face and aggressive than most Napanooks, but I enjoyed its exuberant style. Drink this beautiful 2010 over the next 12-15 years. (RP) (10/2013)

91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Bright ruby-red. Expressive, nuanced, lightly medicinal aromas of blackberry, mocha, coffee, spices and tobacco leaf. Offers lovely sweetness and texture, with tangy peppery lift to the flavors of bitter cherry, burnt sugar, chocolate and herbs. Dense and long for this bottling, finishing with a tart cherry note and excellent verve. This should evolve slowly for a second wine. Very successful. (ST) (6/2013)

90 points Connoisseurs Guide

*One Star* Here is a very solid, well-crafted young Napa Valley Cabernet that hews to fairly classic lines. It is moderately full-bodied and deep in well-defined, distinctly curranty fruit, and it does not let simple ripeness determine its course. It hints of roasted herbs, vanilla, dusty soils and a bit of briary spice, and it shows great continuity and a long, very confident finish. It is supple enough to be a bit of a tease in its youth, but there is far more to come, and its exceptionally well-integrated tannins guarantee years of positive growth. (8/2013)

Wine & Spirits

A selection from Christian Moueix’s Dominus Estate in western Yountville, Napanook is a blend of the early-drinking lots—98 percent Cabernet and two percent Petit Verdot in 2010. It melds the coolness of the vintage (some green, high-acid notes) with the superripe fruit that matured through the late-season heat waves. The texture is soft, with posh scents of walnut from its time in oak; the tannins are fine, with the sweet spice of mincemeat in the end. Give this a year or two in bottle before serving with roast lamb. (12/2013)

Wine Enthusiast

Tastes candied at this time, offering a myriad of raspberry and cherry jam, red currant and caramelized oak flavors. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, with additions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it's a rich, satisfying wine... (9/2013)

Wine Spectator

Dense and gutsy, this muscular Cabernet shows elements of finesse and refinement, with chewy currant, earth and cedar notes leading to a push of red berry fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2024. (JL) (10/2013)