99 pts - Wine Advocate
This 2002 was virtually perfect when I tasted it in early May. Even better than I predicted seven years ago, this 4,500-case blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot has blossomed beautifully, revealing even
88 pts - Wine Spectator
Fresh aromas of ripe currant, wild berry, floral scents and spice carry over nicely to the palate, where the flavors turn supple and firm, with just the right touch of tannins. Not a great Dominus, and this was the best of three bottles. Drink now through 2010. 5,000 cases made. — JL (11/2005)
92 pts - Vinous
(85% cabernet sauvignon, 8% cabernet sauvignon, 4% petit verdot and 3% merlot) Red-ruby. Cool, shy aromas of currant, blackberry and licorice, with a leafy, medicinal aspect. Dense, fat and structured but also quite penetrating and powerful, with black fruit, licorice and herbal flavors and a strong impression of extract. This offers noteworthy energy in the mouth, and finishes quite claret-like, with fine-grained tannins and sneaky length. A sample from another bottle that had been decanted for 24 hours showed a suaver texture but had not lost its solid tannic spine. Offers excellent potential but not quite the length of the 21. Champy notes that the pH of 3.87 is the lowest in recent years here.- Stephen Tanzer (5/25)