Dominus 1988

The 1988 Dominus Estate is the sixth vintage produced by the John Daniel Society, and, as always, made solely from grapes grown on the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, California.

The 1988 growing season was complicated by rain during bloom, which affected the evenness of maturity at harvest. It was necessary to make very severe selections both in the vineyard and in the cellar to produce a wine of Dominus quality.
Vintage Summary
Seasonal rainfall was 26.87 inches vs. 35.68 inches in a normal growing season. May was an unusually wet month with 0.84 inches of rain, followed by 0.46 inches in June and 0.49 inches in September. Altogether it was a strange growing season characterized by an interrupted bloom that led to a heterogeneous harvest.
Fact Sheet
Beginning date of harvest: 08/27/1988
Ending date of harvest: 09/24/1988
Average days of Cuvaison: 17 days

Blend:
86% Cabernet Sauvignon
11% Cabernet Franc
3% Merlot
Barrel regime: 12 months in French oak barrels — hand racked every three months
Percentage of new oak: 15%
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1988 Wine Label: Peter Blake is an English artist, born in 1932. Mr. Blake became famous as a leader of Pop Art in Europe. His works are displayed in major museums throughout the world.