Napanook 2019 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.

In the 2019 vintage the grapes were full and ripe and the resulting wines are deep, complex and well-articulated. This is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot aged in 40% new French oak.

James Suckling scored this 96 points saying "An open and beautiful wine with green-olive and currant aromas and flavors. Some bark and earth, too, together with mushrooms, herbs, crushed stones and pomegranate. Medium to full body with round, creamy tannins and refined finish. Blood orange at the end. Crunchy. So drinkable now, but will age beautifully."