The Napa Valley is the USA's most famous wine region. It is a north-south valley, running from San Francisco up to Mount St.Helena. It contains a huge variety of soil varieties and micro climates, which have in turn led to numerous AVAs being created.
Tasting notes: The estate’s second wine is the 3,600-case cuvee of 2004 Napanook, a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. A strong effort, it offers a beautiful seductive nose of dried herbs, damp earth, sweet cherries, cedar, and spice box. Opulent, round, sexy, and delicious, it should be consumed during its first decade of life.
Wine Advocate # 168
Dec 2006 Robert Parker 91 pts
Tasting notes: The dark ruby/purple-hued 2005 Napanook (76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot) reveals a big, spicy, tobacco, black currant, sweet cherry, new saddle leather, and loamy soil-scented bouquet. With attractive fruit, a soft, round, full-bodied mouthfeel, and beautiful complexity as well as balance, it is one of the most Bordeaux-like Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines made in Napa. This 2005 should drink easily for 10-12 years.
Wine Advocate # 180
Dec 2008 Robert Parker 91 pts
Tasting notes: This Cabernet is produced in small quantities from fruit grown high atop the hills of Oakville to create a wine full of exotic spice that wine dances in the mouth. Rich, round, and with a juicy core of fruit and hint of dried herbs, it will age for many years. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 months in French Oak barrel (65% new). Just 427 cases made.
Tasting notes: This wine is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, with all fruit sourced from the Oakville Appellation. Aged in french oak for 23 months with 50% new oak.
The winemaker notes "this outstanding vintage shows the ultimate character that we expect from our estate vineyards. With full, rich aromas and flavours redolent of ripe stone fruit and dark berries, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon is a lush wine with a subtle tannin backbone that will allow the wine to become more complex with proper bottle age."
Tasting notes: The 2005 Dominus continues to strut its stuff, tasting like a Napa hybrid blend of a St.-Emilion and Pomerol. Its dark ruby/purple-tinged color is followed by notions of cedarwood, spice box, roasted herbs, sweet black cherry and cassis fruit, licorice, and truffles. Full-bodied with excellent fruit intensity, complex aromatics, supple tannins, and a long finish, this 7,000-case blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot should drink well for two decades or more.
Wine Advocate # 180
Dec 2008 Robert Parker 95+ pts
