Filled with notes of deep forest berries, juniper and tru¬e, upon first release the Dominus 2016 was restrained and compact. But critics agreed that the structure promised to reveal fine tannins, earth, lavender, and dark chocolate and will improve over many years. Harvest began on September 16th and ended on September 30th after an exemplary growing season. The final blend of this outstanding 2016 is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot. The near-perfect 2016 growing season started early, saw ideal weather conditions throughout and wrapped up as the valley's first significant fall rainstorm arrived on October 14. Thanks to a relatively steady and mild July and August and then a series of warm days at the end of the growing season, vineyards were able to progress to perfect ripeness. Wines from the 2016 vintage are now quietly developing in cellars throughout Napa Valley and vintners are pinching themselves and smiling for the gift it appears Mother Nature has given them: a fifth consecutive vintage of stellar quality Napa Valley wines. 

In the world of wine, few have the experience of Christian Moueix. With over fifty years of producing wines in Bordeaux’s Right Bank and thirty-eight in the Napa Valley, his record in both the old and new worlds has given him unrivaled insights. Son of legendary Jean-Pierre Moueix, Christian was born in Libourne in 1946. After completing agricultural engineering studies in Paris and graduate studies in viticulture and enology at the University of California, Davis, he returned to France. In 1983, Christian Moueix began producing Dominus from the historic Napanook vineyard in Yountville. The Napanook vineyard encompasses 134 acres, 102 of which are presently planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.  Its gravelly clay loam soils gently slope 3-10%, ensuring natural drainage. Dominus Estate is engaged in a long-term campaign of environmental restoration and biodiversity. Their ranch is planted throughout with native species and wildflowers and provides refuge for California wildlife. After an extensive renewal, Hopper Creek has become a thriving ecosystem and today Dominus Estate’s work is considered a model of creek restoration in the Napa Valley.