2018 Dominus--- Dominus Estate

Parker-Lisa Perrotti-Brown 99+, 2026-2056,

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Dominus slowly emerges from the glass with profound notes of blackcurrant cordial, ripe black plums, boysenberries and Black Forest cake with hints of violets, star anise, cracked black pepper, raspberry leaves and pencil lead, plus a touch of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers impactful black fruit layers, creating a beguiling sense of richness that is beautifully countered by invigorating freshness and great poise, framed by super ripe, plush tannins and beautiful tension, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note and, finally, lots of mineral sparks. For all that it is at the moment, one cannot help but feel that this 2018 is holding something back. Give it a good five years in bottle, at least, and then get set for what I suspect will be a mind-blowing transformation over the next 30 years+.

"This is an example of a cool ripening vintage," Dominus's technical director, Tod Mostero, said. "It was a late season—everything was late from budbreak onward. We started harvesting on October 1st, then we got about an inch of rain, so we stopped, then we started again on the 9th and continued to the 15th."