2021 Dominus 'Napanook' Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Deep, sanguine, tobacco, blood orange, nuanced complexity and a long finish
Christian Moueix, whose family owns Château Pétrus in Pomerol, fell in love with Napa Valley during the late 1960s while attending UC Davis. In 1982, he partnered with Robin Lail and Marcia Smith, daughters of legendary Inglenook owner/winemaker John Daniel, to create Dominus Estate on the site of the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville. This was the only portion of the old Inglenook estate retained by the Daniel family after Inglenook was sold in 1964. The first vintage was 1983 and since then, Moueix has painstakingly restored the original vineyard - first planted in 1836 by pioneer George Yount - which now totals 108 dry-farmed acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
James Suckling
This shows a lot of class, with aromas of blackcurrants, graphite, blueberries, dried flowers, black truffles and a touch of forest floor. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, with seamless tannins that goes on and on. Endless. Blackcurrants, dark mushrooms and violets with hints of fresh rose stems and light herbs. Velvety texture. A blend of 92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Better after 2027.
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Napanook is one heck of a Napanook, offering complex notes of currants, cassis, graphite, leafy tobacco, lead pencil, and chocolate. Incredible on the palate, it s full-bodied and round, with supple, vibrant, incredible tannins. This is easily the finest vintage I've tasted of this cuv e and it s the equivalent of many a Grand Vin from other producers.