Dominus Estate is a meeting of two great winemaking traditions, marrying the terroir-driven philosophy of Bordeaux (through the wisdom of Christian Moueix) with the innovation of Napa. The estate's portfolio comprises three wines: the flagship Dominus, alongside Napanook and Othello. 

Due to the extreme heat experienced during the vintage period of 2022, Tod Mostero (Winemaking Director) and his team made the difficult decision not to make a commercial release last year; maybe the most notable Napa producer to do so. Though Californian wineries allow the use of irrigation to counter these eventualities, the team believed that doing so would undermine their rigid philosophy of dry farming, proving their unyielding commitment to their own high standards and values. 

Napanook Vineyard (the source of Dominus) is one of the few dry-farmed vineyards in Napa. Restricting access to water (rather than relying on the drip from the irrigation line) encourages vines to grow deeper roots by forcing them to seek out underground water sources and nutrients, the latter creating the very essence of characterful and complex wine. Furthermore, beyond conserving water, there is evidence to suggest that by using no irrigation, resistance to drought strengthens the vine’s natural immune system. The result of holding true to these principles is that while much of Napa struggles with drought, Dominus remains an oasis of green in a region, a haven for local wildlife and the native Californian plants that they rely on. 

Thankfully, the 2023 growing season was in stark contrast to 2022, shaped by a rare combination of cool, steady weather, record winter rainfall and an extraordinarily long growing season, which allowed the grapes to ripen perfectly, with many citing it as one of the most exceptional in recent memory.

The estate’s self-imposed hiatus in 2022 has not only reaffirmed their unwavering quest to create wines of distinction, but it also validates the difficult decision to renounce the prior vintage… the 2023 vintage really does support the notion that through adversity, greatness can be achieved. 

Dominus remains one of the reference points for classically styled Cabernet Sauvignon, showing purity, precision and remarkable transparency of site. Both Napanook and Othello possess all the hallmarks and qualities of the Dominus pedigree: Napanook showcasing Bordeaux-inspired elegance but being unapologetically Napa with its fruit concentration and drive, while Othello is more approachable in its youth — crafted to be supple, charming and immediately enjoyable. 

Marc Ditcham
Fine Wine Senior Buyer
March 2026