Dominus, Dominus Estate’s flagship wine, was ranked number one in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2021 and was also selected as one of the nine cult wines by Wine Spectator in 2000.
To illustrate my connection with this fascinating wine, I have to go back to my days studying architecture at the AA School in London. One of the architects I admire the most from that time is Herzog & de Meuron, who designed the Dominus Winery.
**For those interested in my educational background, check out About me. 😀 **
Being a wine lover and greatly inspired by this masterpiece, I designed a winery for my second-year Urban Farm project, located in London’s Kings Cross. I had the opportunity to visit Napa Valley during that time and was eager to see the winery in person. However, I was disappointed to learn that it was not open to the public—a kind of sad memory. 🥲
I had briefly mentioned this sad memory to my dear friend, K👤 in the past. Recently, he remembered it and surprised me by gifting me this wine. 🎁 Knowing that this wine is highly acclaimed with a very high price tag, I was deeply touched by his thoughtfulness.🤩
Table of Contents
1. Dominus Winery, A Creation by Master Architects
Ok, then let me briefly introduce Dominus Winery and its architects. Even if you’re not particularly interested in architecture, I’m convinced that striving to learn about specific wines in this way will broaden your spectrum when it comes to appreciating wine. 😀
Additionally, many vintners around the world are striving for sustainable viticulture and winemaking these days. It’s fascinating to learn how this winery addressed these matters back in the 1990s already.
The Pritzker Prize (often called the Nobel Prize of Architecture)-winning Dominus Winery, designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, is a fascinating blend of architecture and winemaking functionality that ushered in a new era for winery architecture.
Sustainable Design and Energy Efficiency
One of the coolest things about Dominus Winery is how it naturally keeps the climate inside just right. The thick walls made of local basalt rock ㄴand the unique gabion structure help maintain a consistent temperature and humidity. This natural insulation is crucial because wine needs stable conditions to age perfectly and develop its delicious flavors.
The winery’s design also cuts down on the need for artificial heating and cooling. By using natural ventilation and the thermal mass of those rock walls, the winery slashes its energy use. This not only saves money but also supports sustainable practices—something that’s becoming more and more important in winemaking these days.
Plus, the winery is designed to let in plenty of natural light through strategically placed openings. This means they don’t need to rely much on artificial lighting, making for a more pleasant working environment. Natural light also helps winemakers see the wine better at various stages, ensuring quality control.
Aesthetics Integration and Environmental Harmony
Herzog & de Meuron, the brilliant minds behind the design, created a winery that’s not just functional but also stunning to look at. The minimalist design and the way it blends into the landscape create a peaceful environment. A beautiful and serene setting can really enhance the winemakers’ work and the experience for any visitors who get the rare chance to tour the winery.
The use of local materials and a design that blends seamlessly with the Napa Valley landscape shows Herzog & de Meuron’s commitment to environmental harmony. This connection to the local terroir is crucial in winemaking because it reflects the unique characteristics of the region in the wine itself.
Founded in 1978 by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, the Swiss studio has completed notable projects worldwide, including London’s Tate Modern and Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium for the 2008 Olympics. Most recently, they designed the beautiful SongEun Art Space in Gangnam, Seoul, near my home, which allows me to quite often feel the touch of these master architects.😀
2. Dominus, A Creation by Master Vintner
Christian Moueix: The Master Vintner of Petrus
As many wine lovers know, Petrus is one of the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world, hailing from the Pomerol appellation in Bordeaux. This wine is renowned for its exceptional quality and rarity, produced from a small vineyard primarily planted with Merlot grapes. Thanks to its meticulous production process, Petrus delivers unparalleled depth, elegance, and balance, making it a favorite among collectors and connoisseurs.
Christian Moueix, born into a winemaking family in Bordeaux, studied viticulture at UC Davis before returning to France to manage Petrus. Under his leadership, Petrus became synonymous with quality and excellence. In the early 1980s, Moueix expanded his horizons to Napa Valley and established Dominus Estate. His vision was to create wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region while maintaining the meticulous standards of Petrus. Today, Dominus Estate is celebrated for its exceptional wines, embodying Moueix’s commitment to tradition, innovation, and sustainability.
Dominus Estate Today
Dominus Estate produces three standout wines: Dominus, Napanook, and Othello. The name ‘Dominus,’ which means ‘lord of the estate’ in Latin, highlights Moueix’s deep connection to the land. The vineyard practices dry-farming, which means the vines draw deeply from the unique geology of the land, resulting in wines that truly express the distinct terroir.
Their winemaking philosophy is all about quality, stewardship, tradition, and innovation. They use meticulous viticulture and minimal intervention during grape selection, fermentation, and aging to preserve the fruit’s natural character, creating wines with incredible aging potential. The estate is also big on sustainability, achieving CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) certification in 2021. This certification highlights their commitment to organic farming and caring for the environment. Dominus wines are celebrated for their complexity, balance, and elegance, making them truly special.
Check out the video below, featuring an illustration of Dominus Estate with narration by Christian Moueix.😀
3. Tasting Experience
To celebrate the exceptional Dominus 2016, we decided to visit a cozy steakhouse near my home, choosing the classic pairing of T-bone steak with this Bordeaux-style full-bodied red wine.🥩🍷 I asked the manager to decant the wine upon arrival, knowing that ideally, it should have been decanted for about two hours to fully develop its flavors. Nonetheless, we planned to savor our meal slowly instead.
The color of the wine was a very dark purple, indicative of its intensity. On the nose, there were layers of black currant, cherry, 🍒 tobacco, and leather. The palate revealed further complexities with flavors of blackberry, dark chocolate, and a hint of earthiness⛰️ This wine was medium to full-bodied, with a complexity that unfolded over a long finish.
Before the steak, we enjoyed a mushroom truffle soup and a hearty, meaty ragu sauce spaghetti. While the wine hadn’t fully opened up yet, its robust and powerful character was evident. The tannins were still firm, but the wine was enjoyable enough to complement the rich ragu sauce spaghetti.🍝
As the steak arrived, the wine had begun to reveal more of its character. The previously firm tannins softened, blending beautifully with the steak’s proteins to create a silky texture. The berry aromas, particularly black currant and cherry, became more pronounced, adding depth to each sip.
By the time the meal was concluding, the wine had fully developed, showcasing its full potential and presence. I enjoyed the last glass of wine on its own, without any food, fully appreciating its rich and layered character. The experience was a testament to the wine’s exceptional craftsmanship and aging potential, making the celebration truly memorable.😍
Typically, I prefer to enjoy full-bodied red wines after they’ve been decanted for a long time and have fully opened up. However, on this occasion, exploring the wine as it gradually revealed its layers was a delightful experience. It added an element of discovery to the evening, making each sip a part of a flavorful journey.👍🏻
4. Varied Perspectives: RP’s 100 vs JR’ 16.5
The critical acclaim for Dominus 2016 is impressive, with scores such as Robert Parker’s 100, Wilfred Wong of Wine.com’s 99, Jeb Dunnuck’s 98, James Suckling’s 98, and Wine Spectator’s 95. However, Jancis Robinson provided a relatively moderate score of 16.5/20. Comparing the evaluations from RP and JR reveals a striking contrast. For detailed critics reviews, check out wine.com link below.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate awarded Dominus 2016 a perfect 100 points, praising its complex and vibrant flavor profile. According to Parker, the blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, and 8% Cabernet Franc, aged in 40% new oak, offers subtle notes of potpourri, Indian spices, and cigar box, with a core of crushed blackberries and cherries. He emphasizes the wine’s freshness, finely grained tannins, and long, mineral finish, suggesting a personal preference for its style. He even added “If I could give more than 100 for this one, I would.”
On the other hand, Jancis Robinson’s review by Samantha Cole-Johnson gives Dominus 2016 a score of 16.5 out of 20. She describes it as having balanced acidity and moderate tannins, with flavors of black and red cherry, wood mulch, dried thyme, and dusty earth. However, she notes that the wine’s length may not meet expectations given its reputation and vintage, offering a more measured and perhaps objective critique.
This contrast highlights how personal preferences and tasting contexts can influence wine ratings. Parker’s review reflects a more subjective admiration, while Robinson’s review provides a balanced and critical perspective.
Personally, while I agree that the taste and aroma of this wine are indeed exceptional, I believe its true value encompasses much more. Compared to other wines I’ve experienced, what makes Dominus 2016 truly special is its rich background—crafted at a winery designed by architects I admire and created under the guidance of the legendary Christian Moueix. This unique blend of artistry, architectural excellence, and winemaking mastery adds a deeper layer of appreciation for me, making Dominus 2016 not just a wine, but a remarkable convergence of art, architecture, and viniculture.