Napanook Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Christian Moueix @ Dominus Estate Cab Blend - drinking well ! 14.5% abv

A fabulous effort, the 2019 Napanook punches well above its weight. Rich, ample and explosive, the 2019 is a big, generous wine that captures all the radiance of the late summer heat. Black cherry, plum, mocha, chocolate, licorice and incense fill out the layers. As always, I tasted the 2019 from two bottles, one opened on the spot, the second double decanted a few hours prior. Aeration makes a huge difference for this wine.

Scarlet tawny color, mostly opaque. Sweet fruit nose. Notes of red and black fruit, dark earth, figs, molasses, tobacco leaves and some barnyard. Very pleasant in the mouth. Good structure. Great finish. This was in the zone.

Dark garnet color, looks young in the glass. Opaque. Massive nose led by strong tobacco notes, moist forest floor, black and red fruits, old leather saddle, lots of spice and some black truffles. Huge impact in the mouth. Lots of structure, matching the big fruit. Masculine and very old Bordeaux-like. Still young. I think this can get even better, but it was great tonight. 96+

Nose has ripe dark fruits, plum, blackberry, black cherry, wet rusted metal and garden soil.

Palate has sweetened tart cherry juice, blackberry jam, wet leather, dried leafy herbs, cocoa powder, faint metallics with a long finish and mild tannins.

Quite a nice bottle.

Decanted 3H, starting to unfold, but 8-10 more years appreciated.

Slightly off-dry on the palate. Pronounced aromas, but I’m not quite sure that I like them, green and red peppers abound. Eucalyptus and mint, balsamic, savory, red cherries red plums, myrtle. Baking spice, curry. But on the palate, it’s cloying, medium tannins that are so ripe as to feel like a dessert. High alcohol.

Not Dominus but damn good. Not quite the extra level and maybe not $80 but I wish I had waited a few years to try this because I’m sure it will develop some complexity. Great with steak today but just not multidimensional today

If you didn’t know already, this is the second wine of Dominus.

The nose reveals; sour dark cherries, blackberries, baked strawberries, sugar style plum, black raspberries, sweetened, lean pomegranate, candied raspberries, blue fruits, vanilla, light clove, anise, steeped, black fruit tea, graphite, dark, rich, turned earth,sweet tarriness, limestone, alluvial soils, dry top soil, leathery notes, cedar, moist crushed rocks, dash of dry herbs with withering, dark, red flowers and old violets.

The body is medium full. The tannins nicely resolved but, still show a fair amount of firmness. The structure, tension, length and balance have hit a high point. Sour dark cherries, blackberries, baked strawberries, sugar style plum, black raspberries, sweetened, lean pomegranate, candied raspberries, a fair amount of blue fruits that hide on the nose, vanilla, light clove, dark spice anise, steeped, black fruit tea, graphite, dark, rich, turned earth, dark tar, limestone, alluvial soils, dry top soil, underbrush, tough shoe leather, cedar, moist crushed rocks, gritty volcanic minerals, dry clay, dash of dry herbs with fresh & withering, dark, red flowers and bright violets. The acidity is vibrant and fresh. The long finish starts ripe, bright candied fruits and slides into slightly dominate, dry earthiness and persists several minutes.

I would say this is still a hold for another 3-5 years. The 05 could show another point or two then. Just missing 92 now.

Photos of; Dominus and their estate vines, wine making legend, Christian Moueix, (been blessed to sit with him through a couple of dinners), their barrel room and the reverse view as you approach the winery.

The 2014 Napanook is, once again, a very serious wine. Dark, powerful and brooding, the 2014 possesses remarkable intensity packed into its mid-weight frame. Smoke, scorched earth, tobacco, graphite, savory herbs and menthol add to an impression of gravitas. The 2014 doesn't quite have the depth or power of the 2013, but it leans in that direction. I would give it a few years in bottle to settle down. This is an impressive showing. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2016)

Someone on delectable said: "fruits gone, it's a Bordeaux"... that's exactly what happened here. Dominous left us with a very nice Bordeaux now that Napa youth is gone. Earth, cigar box, cocoa, dried fruit. We've had a bottle every other year for half a case and the first and last were the best... and totally different wines.