The 1994 Dominus Proprietary Red Wine is a standout offering from the Napa Valley, crafted by the esteemed Dominus Estate. This vintage is a proprietary blend predominantly made from Cabernet Sauvignon, with contributions from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. It has a robust alcohol content of 14.1% and is sealed with a traditional cork closure.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this wine an impressive 99 points, noting its exceptional richness and complexity. Parker describes the 1994 Dominus as "a strikingly thick, compellingly rich wine with the texture of a great Pomerol despite being made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon." He highlights the wine's "dense purple color" and "incredibly fragrant nose of jammy black fruits, spice, smoke, and loamy truffle-like scents." Parker praises its full-bodied nature, balanced acidity, and seamless integration of tannin, alcohol, and ripe fruit, suggesting it is suitable for early drinking but also has the potential to age gracefully for 30+ years.
Decanter echoes this sentiment, rating the wine at 95 points. Their review describes it as "still a youthful, deep, ruby-black" wine that "explodes with blackberry, cassis, and truffle notes, along with some rustic sous bois and leather." They acknowledge its richness and intensity while noting that it maintains a classic proportion. However, Decanter does mention it is somewhat more rustic and heady compared to the 1991 vintage. They also advise serving this wine at a relatively cool temperature to fully appreciate its complexity.
The Wine Independent also bestows a 99-point score on this vintage. Their review highlights the wine's "deep garnet-brick color" and a robust bouquet featuring "plum preserves, blackcurrant jelly, stewed cherries, and dried blueberries." Additional notes include "candied violets, licorice, unsmoked cigars, and crushed rocks." On the palate, it is described as "medium to full-bodied" with "expressive black and blue fruit layers," velvety tannins, and fantastic freshness, concluding with a long, earthy finish.
In summary, the 1994 Dominus Proprietary Red Wine is a highly acclaimed, richly complex, and well-balanced offering that has garnered excellent reviews for its depth, aromatic intensity, and aging potential.