Wine Advisor
Dominus Estate (Christian Moueix), Napanook 2015
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Bottled in July 2017, Dominus’ more approachable, less tannic sister wine, Napanook, is a blend this year of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Napanook Proprietary Red Wine is redolent of crème de cassis, potpourri, plum preserves and violets with hints of dark chocolate, menthol, licorice and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is densely packed with black fruit preserves and earthy layers, supported by firm, ripe, fine-grained tannins and finishing with great length.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2015 Napanook, produced from an incredibly early harvest between September 2-16, is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The wine has a beautiful fragrance of cedar wood, forest floor, underbrush, Christmas fruitcake, blackcurrants and blueberries. I will go out on a limb and say that this opulent, lush, full-bodied Napanook, with its expansive texture and gorgeous purity, will turn out to be one of the finest Napanook’s he has produced to date. It sees about one-third new oak prior to being bottled.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2015 Napanook is dark, plush and inviting, all of which make it an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Super-ripe black cherry, plum, spice and licorice notes are all pushed forward in a decidedly lush, open-knit Napanook that will be ready to go pretty much upon release.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2015 Napanook is a striking, open-knit wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring, something that has not been the case since 2012. A host of blue/purplish fruits, cedar, smoke, tobacco and dark spices are front and center. Fleshy, soft and welcoming, the 2015 is a wine of pure sensual allure. It might not be the most complex or profound Napanook, but I doubt that is what consumers are looking for at this level.
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.
