Haskell’s Dominus Tasting Off the Charts!!!

Well what can I say. This was one of the best local tastings in many years in the Twin Cities. Not many wine shops locally and really nationally doing events at this level. Cheers to Lee and Mitch at Haskell’s Minnetonka along with Maisons Marques & Domaines presenter Even Arnesen who offered great insight but also allow audience participation. Also a big shout out to Johnson Brothers and Kay Kiani for providing this amazing opportunity to try these wines. The reviews will speak for themselves and being able to revisit that 07 was amazing. Top five of the year alert.

CellarTracker! Dominus Tasting at Haskell’s

• 2016 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut – France, Champagne
  Glavin Kane. Wonderful start to the Dominus tasting. Wow is this going to be good over time. Citrus, chalk, matchstick, orange peel, lemon, dust and nice minerality streak. Nice acidity and medium plus length on the finish. 94+ (94 pts.)

• 2023 Othello – USA, California, Napa Valley
  Glasvin Kane. Younger vines so that shows in comparison to the Napanook. I like this wine but find this would be a good one over 3 days to open up even more. Bright fruits, spices, plum, dust, candied cherries and chocolate. Everything is there for some aging to show even better. 91+ (91 pts.)

• 2023 Dominus Napanook Red – USA, California, Napa Valley
  Glasvin Kane. Maybe my favorite young Napanook. Decanted a few hours but showing great young. Rich wine with blueberries, floral, menthol, spices, cherry, dark chocolate and wood. Medium plus finish. Concentrated and drink now to 2035. (93 pts.)

• 2007 Dominus Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley
  Glasvin Kane. Wine of the year candidate. This is close to the epic 98 from 3 Day but not quite there. Tons of life left here. Super complex wine and a Bordeaux clone. Cigar, funk, spices, blue currants, cassis, menthol, earth and dried flowers. Fun to see about half like this better than the 16. Both rockstars and bought one each. 97.75. (97 pts.)

• 2016 Dominus Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley
  Glasvin Kane. 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Verdot & 8% Cabernet Franc. Wow is this rocking. 3 hours in the decanter. Menthol, blueberries, Cassis, floral, dust, wood, smoke and dark currants. Super complex wine a touch behind the 07 tonight. Both great but different in style. 97+ (97 pts.)

• 2021 Dominus Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley
  Glasvin Kane. 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 Cabernet Franc and 2% Petite Verdot. Wow for a younger wine showing well. Tons of long term aging potential here. Dust, blueberries, Cassis, coffee beans, perfume, wood, a touch of vanilla, cigar and earth. Cross between Napa Cab and Bordeaux. Very well done and could see this improving over time. 96+ (96 pts.)
• 2023 Dominus Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley
  Glasvin Kane. Well of the 4 Dominus wines my least favorite but still 94 plus. This of course is young and even with 4 hours in the decanter a good 4 day wine review would be proper at this stage. 40% New Oak and 18 months in barrel. 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petite Verdot. Tobacco, spices, vanilla, oak, orange peel, blueberries, rose petals and baking chocolate. Medium plus finish and big style wine. Cellar this and be rewarded in 10 plus years. 94+ (94 pts.)