Napanook

Dominus Estate is a wine producer based just outside northern Yountville, in California's Napa Valley wine region. It 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 grapes 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. 

Napanook is made solely from grapes grown at the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville. Napanook is blended from vineyard blocks carefully selected for their lively fruit, soft tannins, and early maturing characteristics. 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. The wine is created to be consumed young and enjoyed with food, but will also age well for more than a decade. 

Just as magnificent from bottle as it was in barrel, the 2013 Napanook is dense, powerful and brooding, with searing intensity and extraordinary balance. Lavender, plums, violets, licorice and smoke are some of the signatures, but the 2013 exudes finesse, power and intensity. While this is serious wine in its own right, it will give more immediate gratification than its grander sibling.