Wine Advisor
Dominus Estate (Christian Moueix), Napanook 2012
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2012 Napanook (a 3,000-case blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot) is one of the strongest second wines Moueix has produced to date. Made in a sexy, open-knit, opulent style very much in keeping with the vintage’s signature, it offers up luscious notes of bay leaf, lavender, red and blackcurrants, plum sauce, licorice and Christmas fruitcake. This is a gorgeous, opulent, medium to full-bodied 2012 that is already revealing considerable complexity. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The second wine, the 2012 Napanook Proprietary Red Wine has a similar profile, but certainly comes across as less nuanced and slightly less concentrated and profound compared to its bigger sister. It is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. It does reflect the fact that the selection process has gotten so severe that the second wine at Dominus is really special in top vintages such as 2012 or 2013. The wine has low acidity, beautiful ripe black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, a hint of unsmoked cigar tobacco and a touch of roasted herbs in the finish. This is a beauty to drink over the next 15-20 years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2012 Napanook displays a classic profile filled with cedarwood, Christmas fruitcake, spice box, sassafras and plenty of red and black currants. Some firm tannins are present, but they are well-integrated. This fruit-forward, opulent effort is a terrific second wine. Interestingly, it is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot that should drink well for 15+ years. Looking at the harvest dates for the 2009 through 2012 Napanook and Dominus reveals that none of these were early, very warm years, such as 2013 is promising to be in northern California. For example, in 2009 the harvest took place between October 5 and 12; 2010 between October 4 and 23; 2011 between October 15 and 24; and 2012 between October 9 and 21. Production has remained steady because the estate crop-thins as much as 50% of the harvest to ensure bunch regularity, even ripening and reasonable yields. The second wine, Napanook, tends to come in around 3,000 cases per year, and Dominus around 5,000 cases per year. I was joking with Christian Moueix when I visited the winery and I told him I am one of the geezers old enough to remember his first vintage of 1983, which was tasted at the Rombauer Cellars until he moved to what appears to be an old bank building in downtown St. Helena, after which they constructed a spectacular winery in Yountville that resembles an extension of their historic terroir. Another great vintage, the 2012s have slightly lower alcohols than the 2009s and 2010s, which surprised me given the exuberant nature of this vintage and its boisterous fruit and glycerin. I was shocked to realize that 2013 will mark over thirty vintages for Christian Moueix and Dominus, not to mention my visits each year. How time flies! Tel. (707) 944-8954
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2012 Napanook is a big, intense wine, especially if given some time in the decanter. Rich red cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and spice meld together in an effortless, gracious Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are silky and polished, which gives the 2012 much of its early appeal, but there is so much density and pure concentration that a few years in bottle will only do it good. The 2012 is a fabulous Napanook. Frankly, the 2012 is as good or better than the top wines at many estates. Napanook remains one of the great values in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
In addition to being flat-out delicious, the 2012 Napanook is also one of the very best values in top Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark, sumptuous and exceptionally polished, the 2012 captures all of the best qualities of the year. Raspberry jam, spices, wild flowers and cinnamon wrap around the silky finish in a Cabernet Sauvignon that over delivers big time. The flavors are bright and focused, but the texture is classic 2012. What a gorgeous wine this is.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2012 is another stunning Napanook. Layers of expressive dark red fruit, iron, smoke and incense flesh in a wine that brings together huge fruit and equally important elements of structure. The 2012 is seductive enough to want to drink early, but readers who can wait will be rewarded. This is one of more finessed, subtle Napanooks I can remember tasting. With time in the glass, the wine turns silky, radiant and totally expressive. The blend is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
(a 95/5 blend of cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot): Bright red-ruby. Blueberry, licorice and tobacco leaf on the nose. Sweet and densely packed, with lovely depth of fruit for this second wine. Rich, pliant and layered, showing good energy but zero aggressiveness to its flavors of currant, chocolate and espresso. Finishes with a note of nutty oak and good grip. Looks to be an excellent vintage for this wine.
About the Producer
Dominus Estate, Yountville, California, was established in 1983 by Christian Moueix. Situated on the famed Napanook vineyard, it was, in the 1940’s and 1950’s, the source of fruit for some of the finest Napa Valley wines. In fact, the vineyard’s history can be traced back to Napa Valley’s beginnings, when in 1838 George Yount, for whom the town of Yountville was named, first planted grapevines there. Today, this historic vineyard produces three wines: Dominus, its flagship, Napanook, and Othello. Christian Moueix chose the name ‘Dominus’ (‘lord of the estate’ in Latin) to underscore his longstanding commitment to the land. Rooted in values of quality, stewardship, tradition and innovation, the Dominus Estate team shares a vision of producing distinctive wines that are expressive of this singular terroir. The vineyard is entirely dry-farmed, allowing the vines to draw deeply on the land’s unique geology. The viticulture and winemaking are undertaken meticulously, with the objective of producing wines that are pure, balanced and complex. Minimal intervention and restraint throughout the process of grape berry selection, fermentation and aging preserve the character of the fruit. The resulting wines, with a tremendous potential for aging, convey the very personality of this historic vineyard. Known for its complexity and balance, Dominus demonstrates the potential of a wine produced on exceptional terroir. Structured, seamless and perfectly integrated, Dominus is an elegant wine that improves with age. To celebrate the 30th vintage of Dominus Estate, the 2013 label dons a special portrait of Christian Moueix by South African artist William Kentridge. The 2013 Dominus recalls the ‘portrait series’ of the earliest vintages (1983-1990), when noted artists depicted Christian Moueix on the labels. In 2021, Dominus Estate received its CCOF ("California Certified Organic Farmers") certification for organic farming practices.
