
Originally as part owner, now as sole owner, the Moueix family has worked very hard to make Dominus a top California wine. In the 1980s, Dominus had a reputation for producing extremely tannin wines that were difficult to drink. New blends and a friendlier vinification process in the 1990s have resulted in a softer, more complex wine. It is no surprise that a family from Bordeaux would increasingly make a Bordeaux style wine, even in California. A very fun experience is comparing Dominus and Opus One in a side-by-side tasting. Both are top California wines that are trying to incorporate Bordeaux style. The Dominus 1996 is drinking well now and will age well for at least a decade. In Napa, the 1996 vintage was very small in yield and above average in quality, especially for Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

John H. Isacs