Napanook Vineyard by Dominus Estate

Magnum

James Suckling im Oktober 2019:

This is so drinkable now. Savory and yummy. Lots of blackberries, blueberries and currants. Full-to medium-bodied, tight and silky with beautiful freshness and finesse. So long and caressing, yet tightly grained tannins give it tension. Lovely drinkability. Available April 2020. Drink or hold.

 

Lisa Perrotti Brown im Oktober 2019:

There was about 40% of a normal crop this year due to strict selection. Grapes were harvested from September 21 to October 3 and the wine was bottled in May 2019. The 2017 Napanook is made up of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot and was aged in 20% new French oak barrels. Deep purple-black in color, it springs from the glass with vivacious notions of warm black cherries, blackberry compote and crushed black currants with touches of dark chocolate, licorice, fertile loam, underbrush, camphor and cinnamon stick plus a waft of lilacs. Full-bodied with a firm level of grainy tannins and seamless freshness supporting the bold, spicy black fruit layers, it finishes on a lingering perfumed note. With further time, it begins to reveal the mineral signature of the estate, delivering a glimpse at the gravitas to come with 5-7 years in the cellar. 1,400 cases were made.

 

Antonio Galloni im Januar 2020:

The 2017 Napanook is forward, lush and quite giving - in other words, very much in keeping with the style of the year. Silky and radiant, with plenty of bright, red-toned fruit, the 2017 Napanook is one of the very finest Napa Valley Cabernets readers will find in this price range. Savory, earthy and licorice undertones add striking shades of nuance, with silky tannins that extend the finish effortlessly. This is such a gorgeous and inviting wine. When just opened, the 2017 mostly offers density and opulence, but a few hours of air brings out layers of subtlety and aromatic nuance.

 

Jeb Dunnuck im Januar 2020:

The 2017 Napanook checks in 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. It offers classy notes of cassis, black currants, toasted spices, and hints of flowers. With lots of chocolately richness, medium to full body, and beautifully ripe tannins, it's layered and has impressive depth of fruit, followed by a great finish. It's going to evolve for 15-20 years. It's an incredible value in classic, impeccably made Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Magnum
 

Den Napanook 2015 verkostet James Suckling im Mai 2018:

This is fantastic on the nose with blackberries and forest flowers. Very aromatic. Full body with soft. well-integrated and medium-grained tannins. Undertones of black olives. Love the hints of sandalwood. Drink or hold.
 

Den Napanook 2015 verkostet Jeb Dunnuck 31.01.2023:

Brought up in 20% new barrels, the 2015 Napanook is an awesome wine in its own right, offering classic cassis, tobacco, leafy herbs, and violets notes, with an almost Bordeaux-like earthiness. Full-bodied, incredibly pure and seamless on the palate as well as impeccably balanced, it’s more than worth your time and money.
 

Den Napanook 2015 verkostet Lisa Perrotti Brown im Oktober 2017:

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.

Christian Moueix began our tasting of the 2015 vintage with a big smile. “We loved the vintage from the beginning.” he commented simply. Dominus winemaker Tod Mostero explained why 2015 was special: “We had a lot of winter rain—15 inches in December 2014. But then we had a very dry spring—just two inches in March and April. This equated to less vegetative growth. because when you have very little rain in spring. the vegetative growth tends to be limited. This means you need less water in the summer. since the vines prepare themselves for a dry growing season. Because we dry farm. the roots grow deeper and access water that normally wouldn’t be available. We had a similar profile in 2013. The 2015 temperatures were higher than normal but not excessive. Yields were about the same as 2013—smaller than average. The grapes were small. We experienced an early budburst. flowering and harvest. with harvest starting on September 2nd and finished by September 30th."

den Napanook 2019 verkostete James Suckling im Mai 2021:

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.
 

den Napanook 2019 verkostete Joe Czerwinski im Mai 2023:

Exuberantly fruity on the nose, the 2019 Napanook is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Despite seeing 40% new French oak, what shines on the nose are the ripe cherries, delicately brushed with wisps of tobacco, sage and bay leaf. It's medium to full-bodied, supple and silky in feel on the palate, while the finish lingers easily, adding notes of pencil shavings and mocha. To get this sort of pedigree for less than $100 is a rarity in Napa these days, making it a notable value.
 

den Napanook 2019 verkostete Antonio Galloni im Oktober 2022:
 

Joe Czerwinski zum Napanook 2020 Napa Valley Yountville (Juni 2023):

Die Früchte für den 2020 Napanook (wie auch für den 2020 Dominus) wurden vor dem Beginn des Glasfeuers am 27. September geerntet und bestehen zu 88 % aus Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 % Cabernet Franc und 5 % Petit Verdot. Der Duft von roten Johannisbeeren und Kirschen weist den Weg, unterstützt von Noten von dunkler Schokolade und Mokka. Er ist mittel bis vollmundig und fühlt sich seidig an, trotz eines Hauchs von Wärme am Gaumen, während der lange Abgang einen Hauch von roter Paprika und einen Hauch von Robustheit aufgreift.

 

James Suckling im März 2023:

Aromen von Johannisbeeren, Brombeeren, frischen Pilzen und Blumen. Mittlerer Körper mit verdichteter Frucht und integrierten, feinen Tanninen. Reife Frucht mit Reserven. Attraktiv und verführerisch. Ausgezeichnete Struktur. 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc und 5% Petit Verdot. Geben Sie ihm mindestens fünf Jahre, um sich zu öffnen und weich zu werden, aber er ist jetzt schon sehr attraktiv.

 

Antonio Galloni bewertet den 2020er Napanook im Dezember 2023:

Der 2020 Napanook ist grandios. Kühn, saftig und ausdrucksstark, der 2020er hat gute Energie und vorwärts drängende Frucht. Staubige, schokoladige Tannine wickeln alles zusammen. Die Bilanz hier ist für das Jahr lobenswert.