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Tasting notes
The 2009 Napanook, which Moueix claims to be one of his favorite wines of the last decade, is among the finest they have made. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it exhibits a dark plum/purple color along with a big, sweet bouquet of licorice, incense, roasted herbs, loamy soil, kirsch, black currants and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied with silky tannins and a round, opulent mouthfeel, this beauty can be drunk now and over the next 12-15 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
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Napanook is simply glorious. Sweet dark cherries, mint, tobacco, wild flowers and licorice all jump from the glass. The 2009 is a juicy, extroverted Napanook that impresses for its sheer pleasure and total harmony. Layers of fruit continue to build to the huge, creamy finish. As good as the 2009 is today, I have a hard time thinking it won't be better in another few years. If anything, this is too serious a wine for an entry-level offering. The 2009 is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc.
(cabernet sauvignon blended with 8% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc): Good medium ruby-red. Cool, rather shy aromas of dark berries, licorice and pepper, with nuances of white fruits. Supple and spicy, with an herbal quality to the flavors of dark berries, spices and mint. Nicely fine-grained in the mouth but in a cool style. The slightly drying finish shows a good kick of tannins and calls for at least a couple years of patience.
About the producer
Dominus Estate – the Napa property owned by Christian Moueix of Pétrus and La Fleur-Pétrus – has rapidly earned cult status.
Product details
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Red
Dry