Napanook 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dominus Estate, Napa Valley
Item Number: 13 20 231 20
Napanook 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dominus Estate, Napa Valley
Outstanding Cabernet from the Dominus Estate!
Quick Taste
- 95 Points
- Moueix Family of Chateau Petrus!
- All Estate grapes from Dominus
- "Attractive and Alluring"
- "Medium-bodied with compacted fruit and integrated, fine tannins."
About Napanook 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dominus Estate, Napa Valley
Superb Cabernet from the Estate of the #1 Wine of 2021
Owner and winemaker of the famous Dominus Estate in Napa Valley and Chateau Petrus in Pomerol, Christian Moueix produces this classic Napa Cab. Napanook, a historic vineyard that dates back to 1836, is located at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains in Yountville, Napa Valley. The Napanook wine is blended from blocks in the vineyard that were carefully selected for their lively fruit, soft tannins and early maturing characteristics.
With a temperate climate, the vineyard’s volcanic, well draining soils are specifically suited to growing Cabernet Sauvignon and the other Bordeaux varietals which compose the Dominus Estate wines. The soil is gravelly and clay loam. Meticulous efforts are made throughout the seasons to produce grapes of the highest quality for Dominus Estate wines. During the winter season, precise cane pruning ensures ideal cluster spacing for optimal fruit ripening.
Dry farming relies on a deep root system to take advantage of natural water sources from rain and underground supplies. Cluster thinning optimizes quality through yield regulation. Rinsing the grapes 10 to 15 days before harvest removes dust and enhances the purity of the fruit. Hand-picking with small french shears instead of harvest knives minimizes bruising and vine damage. The sunny side of the vines is picked a few days before the shady side respecting perfect maturity.
In the winery cluster sorting by hand is complemented by an optical berry sorting system. Separate lot-by-lot fermentation and gentle pumping-over extracts aromas, color and tannins.
The 2020 vintage was characterized by a dry winter and spring, with a total of 17” of rain ( July 2019 to June 2020, historical average: 31”). February was warm and sunny with no rain (historical average is 6.6”) and soils started to dry. The rains in March were insufficient (1.8” compared to an historical average of 4.8”) to replenish the vine soil water reserves.
With limited soil water reserves and warm temperatures in the spring vines had limited shoot growth. Summer temperatures were constantly warm allowing a fast and homogeneous ripening. On August 13th, the growing season quickly took a turn with a series of two extreme heat waves. Selection was critical to remove berries impacted by the heat. In the night of August 16th to 17th, about 11,000 lightning strikes across northern California were recorded and sparked the LNU Lightning Complex fires. Until mid-September, there were several days with particularly dense smoke. Testing and microfermentations ensured that berries remained unaffected by smoke taint.
Harvest was completed before grapes could be affected by the Glass Fire which started on September 27th.
This wine was rated 95 Points by James Suckling saying, "Aromas of currants, blackberries, fresh mushrooms and flowers. Medium-bodied with compacted fruit and integrated, fine tannins. Ripe fruit with reserve. Attractive and alluring. Excellent structure. 88% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. Give it at least five years to open and soften, but very attractive now."
Wine Details
- Alcohol % 15.0%
- Bottle Size 750 ml
- Wine Type Red
- Country United States
- Region California
- Appellation Napa
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