The exuberance and drama in the stunning nose of the dense plum-colored 2012 Dominus offers up notes of Asian spice, ripe, black currants, kirsch, tobacco leaf and Christmas fruitcake. It is full-bodied and opulent, with no hard edges, a seamless integration of acidity, wood and tannin and a density and richness that are built to go on for 25-30 years.
Christian Moueix has probably had his two greatest back-to-back vintages to date with the 2012 and 2013. The 2012s, which are just being released, include the unbelievable Dominus, made of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc and coming in at 14.3% natural alcohol. I said last year that it reminded me somewhat of the 1991 and the 1994, which are both still very strong efforts and, while fully mature, showed no signs of decline if well-stored.
(WA 30th Oct 2015)
