Dominus - Napanook 2018

In the late 1960s, while attending the University of California at Davis, Christian Moueix fell in love with the Napa Valley and its wines. son of Jean-Pierre Moueix, the famed wine merchant and producer FROM Libourne, France, Moueix returned home in 1970 to manage the family vineyards, including chateaux Petrus, La Fleur-Petrus, Trotanoy in Pomerol and Magdelaine in Saint Emilion.

His love of Napa Valley lingered and, in 1981, he discovered the historic Napanook vineyard, a 124-acre site west of Yountville that had been the source of fruit for some of the finest Napa Valley wines of the 1940s and 1950s. In 1982, Moueix entered into a partnership to develop the vineyard and, in 1995, became its sole owner. He chose the name ‘Dominus’ or’ Lord of the Estate’ in Latin to underscore his longstanding commitment to stewardship of the land.

Napanook is a blend of Bordeaux varietals specifically selected from the estate vineyard for their lively fruit and bold character. Napanook wines are youthful and exuberant, meant to be enjoyed regularly when a more casual wine is called for.

“Beautifully enticing, it has developed notes of red currants and boyenberry fruit wrapped in tobacco leaves, tinged with vanilla. Mineral-scented Bing cherry fruit and impressively floral notes abound on the palate, with medium-bodied richness and excellent and expressive building tannins that fuel this robust red. For all its robustness, it has an unbelievable lightness to it. It's a balletic red of power and grace with great freshness.” - 97 Points, Decanter

“Gorgeous aromas of plums and currants with some wet earth, mushroom, bark and incense undertones. Woody. Medium-to full-bodied with such beautiful depth and length. So subtle and long. Fabulous harmony. One of the best I have ever tasted.” - 97 Points, James Suckling

“The 2018 Napanook showed incredibly well, with fabulous crème de cassis, spring flowers, graphite, and green tobacco aromas and flavors. With terrific ripeness, medium to full body, and ripe, yet polished tannins, this beauty should be snatched up by savvy readers. It should evolve for 15 years or more. The blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, aged in 20% new French oak.” - 94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

Producer: Dominus Estate

Country: USA

Region: California

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Appellation: Napa Valley

Vintage: 2018

Size: 750ml