Bill Bender

9.4

WNH Zoom tasting #3 on 4/5/20. The theme was “10 years old or more” and I opened this after what I’d call a false start with a ‘96 Dominus Napanook. The cork was a bit soggy and difficult to extract and a sour nose greeted me as I decanted to remove a fair amount of sediment. But once the air hit it this wine spread its wings. It comes off as a hypothetical Volnay/Rioja blend as if there were such a thing. Mature warm red fruit, strong notes of rhubarb, cranberry preserves and sour raspberry mash. Very slight green notes but not in a negative sense. There’s still youthful exuberance here. This isn’t one of those “it’s drinking great for its age” wines it’s straight up exceptional. Great house. Great wine. Hell yes. Happy Bicentennial 🇺🇸🍷 — 5 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.5

This wine is a lodestone... lovers and haters abound. 17 years old and still dark pure purple in the glass. Instant black cherry and cassis notes...along with saddle leather and tobacco from the oak. Round, oily, almost viscous on the tongue...alcohol still slightly noticeable, but much more integrated than when last tasted. The wine is intense..powerful, rich with a purity that keeps my interest...simply blown away this day by the ‘94 Dominus. I keep my vertical going, but sometimes I wonder why. — 5 years ago

John Del Bello

9.8

One of the most stunning & beautiful wines I've ever enjoyed, and I've tasted many of the worlds best wines over last 30 years. A 1966 Leoville Las Cases is a close #2, a 1982 Mouton Rothchild, 1989 Pinchon- Longueville, 1997 Masseto, 1997 Insignia, 1997 Dominus, 2001 Termanthia, 2003 Clos de Papes... — 6 years ago

Bill Bender

9.6

A completely different wine than the Dominus. This was full throttle and slams you back in to your seat with its G forces. So ripe, almost over the top; but it decelerates just in time and the finish is so succulent it lingers in your mouth forever. Filled to the tip of the cork with graphite and teeth staining purple fruit. This is the malevolent bastard child of a young Colgin IX Syrah and 2000 Chateau Pavie. Gobsmacker. — 7 years ago

Mark Seeber

9.2

“There’s only two things I can’t stand in this world, people who are intolerant of other people’s culture...and the Dutch.” 10% ABV. — 7 years ago

Jeff Shapiro

9.3

Boudreaux Blend rivals the likes of Dominus & Insignia.
Decanted for 80 minutes. Cab Sav, Cab Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot & Malbec.
Sweet vanilla, black cherry and cassis with a tobacco base. Very soft tannins blends nicely with Super Bowl finger foods. 🏈🍷🏆
— 8 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Friday...time for a break from the war on the coronavirus...and time for a WINE WAR! Both bottles have practiced years of social distancing in the cellar...there is no vaccine to stop this wine war either

2008 Hundred Acre...a true Napa modern style of rich tannins, liberally oaked, and picked late and ripe at 15.5% alcohol.

2008 Dominus..more old world style with firmer tannins, prominent acidity, more earthy and herbaceous...not as approachable young..at 14.1% alcohol.

Let the decanting begin...check back later tonight for the winner!

We have a winner! 9.4 for the Hundred Acre and a 9.3 for the Dominus....though if compared again in a few years, I believe the Dominus will be on top.....it just needs a few more years to fully come together.

Hundred Acre..dark ruby red color. Nose: sweet cherries, spice box, graphite, plum all jump from the glass. Taste: ripe cherries, espresso, cinnamon, plum..with a nice long finish and no reason it could not go for 10 more years.

Dominus..deep dark garnet color. The nose is a bit muted but the palate is singing. Nose: cherry, charcoal, floral, creme brulee. Taste: A creamy smooth mouthfeel of black fruit, chocolate, licorice with nice round tannins. Not over the top, drinking well, but a wine I believe will be even better in a few years. — 5 years ago

with Brenda

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Winemaking posts at Rudd, Dominus, Chalk Hill & Matanzas Creek, David Ramey & his wife, Carla began their own label in 1996. Rich deep ruby red. Aromas of powerful dark fruit, hints of pepper and sweet spice reminiscent of a Northern Rhône. On the palate raspberry and blackberry, soft and velvety, with smoky oak, big spice on the finish which should continue to develop for several years. Very Nice! — 6 years ago

tim heyman

9.1

very gd quality spanish rioja. clearly gd oak and long maturation for 2004 vintage — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Following winemaking posts at Rudd, Dominus, Chalk Hill and Matanzas Creek, David Ramey and his wife, Carla began their own label in 1996, a Chardonnay from the Hyde vineyard. Hyde, in my opinion is their best Chardonnay. Aromas of ripe stone fruits with citrus notes and subtle oak. On the palate complex flavors of apple and peach flavors, crisp oak, well balanced lingering finish ending with slight mineral notes. Drinking well now, should improve over next few years. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Following winemaking posts at Rudd, Dominus, Chalk Hill and Matanzas Creek, David Ramey and his wife, Carla began their own label in 1996. Straw with aromas of sweet stone fruits with citrus notes and honey scents. On the palate ripe apple, peach and apricot flavors with toasty oak, creamy. Lingering smooth finish, energetic, ending with earthy notes. Delicious! — 7 years ago

Kyle Groombridge

9.3

This is good juice. Newish Moueix label - sister wine to Dominus. Cool funk on the palate not usually found in this part of Napa. Dense, extracted, but well rounded with tannins. I wouldn't touch for 5 years minimum. Good quality tho. — 7 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.7

Drinks a like mature classically styled Napa-wine. Like Dominus. — 8 years ago

B

10

1994 Screaming Eagle. Dinner w J&L B and D&M H while staying with D&M in Santa Ynez. Opened and waited about an hour. Decanted right before serving. Tons of jammy dark fruit. Opened more in the glass. JB mentioned full palate and balance. Great finish. Preferred this to ‘91 Dominus once this opened up. — 5 years ago

Philip Dobrin

9.2

Dominus 94 won out this night. A little muted on the palate but smells right — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

Good looking bottle and fill. Reddish tawny, brighter and younger looking than the 94 Dominus mag next to it. Fruit forward nose. Notes of red currant fruit, plums, gravel stone, some cassis and a little cigar box. Pleasant in the mouth. Still has some structure to go with the fruit. Shorter than desired finish. Most liked this over the Dominus. — 6 years ago

Andy Hall

9.5

Not many wines can follow Dominus but this wine can hang! — 7 years ago

with Jerry

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Following winemaking posts at Rudd, Dominus, Chalk Hill and Matanzas Creek, David Ramey and his wife, Carla began their own label in 1996. Platt is Ramey’s coolest vineyard. Aromas of ripe stone fruits with citrus notes and subtle spice. On the palate tons of fruit just starting to emerge with apple and lemon flavors, well balanced lingering finish ending with a slight mineral tang. Drink now and over next few years. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Had this about a year ago. After stints at Rudd, Dominus, Chalk Hill and Matanzas Creek, winemakers David Ramey and his wife, Carla began their own label in 1996. Sunshine Straw with aromas of stone and tropical fruit with sweet vanilla oak scents. On the palate apple, peach and apricot flavors, citrus zest with toasty oak. Lingering on a smooth finish ending with creamy notes. Delicious! Aged well. You can still find the 2014, so grab one, you won’t be disappointed. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Following winemaking posts at Rudd, Dominus, Chalk Hill and Matanzas Creek, David Ramey and his wife, Carla began their own label in 1996. A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 2% Syrah & 2% Petit Verdot. Deep purple with fresh berry fruit aromas and earthy spice tones. Blackberry currant flavors, almost jammy, with herb notes and soft fine tannins. Medium finish, easy drinking best now over next couple of years, ending with a spice character. — 7 years ago