2007 Dominus Napanook
By Dominus
2007 Dominus Napanook from Dominus, Napa Valley
The 2007 vintage boasted of the golden potential Napa Valley beholds, this potential got an opulent embodiment in the form of the 2007 Dominus Napanook from Dominus. A remarkable representation of Californian viticulture, this vintage continues Dominus' tradition of crafting fine wines from USA that are loved and invested upon by wine enthusiasts globally.
Purity of Cabernet, the heart of Napanook
Harvested in what can be marked as one of the best years for Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley, the luscious berry purity of Cabernet dominates while intricately making way for smaller enzymes of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The balanced composition elucidates why investors find their palette painted with awe and respect whenever they sip on this fine wine.
Displaying a profound inkiness in its youth, the wine holds a startling freshness underlined by pulsating vitality. As you fondle the divinely orchestrated tannins interwoven with dark fruits, you encounter subtle notes of licorice and savory undertones, denoting Dominus' masterstroke in its creation.
2007 - A vintage to remember
The climatic charm of 2007 is well-known among connoisseurs. Napa Valley was blessed with an even-keeled growing season marked with mild temperatures and scarce rainfall. This bestowed the wines of this vintage with a unique juxtaposition of power and poise- traits displayed at their peak in the 2007 Napanook.
Such structural tenacity and flavourful depths are understandably sought after for their compelling investment potential. The meticulously crafted architecture ensures longevity while extravagant mouthfeel and spectral depth of flavors solidify its allure for collectors.
From its compelling depth to the textured rhythm, the 2007 Dominus Napanook is a testament to its charismatic vintage, the stellar pedigree of Dominus, and Napa Valley's prodigious potential. It's more than just wine; it's an investment in the richness of time and soil encapsulated in a bottle.
Market price (HKD)
HK$8,230.00
12x75cl
Highest score
91
POP score
78.18
Scores and tasting notes
The other significant change is how the quality of Napanook has risen. Really a separate entity these days, the 2007 continues to show wonderful elegance, sweet finesse and ripe Napa Valley fruit. It is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. This estate, owned by Christian Moueix, includes the famed Napanook Vineyard that was the base of so many of the historic Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignons of the 1950s and 1960s. Interestingly, they have completely eliminated Merlot from the bottling. The 2007 Dominus is a 5,400-case blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. There are 4,200 cases of the 2008 Dominus which is composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Lower yields resulted in a denser, more concentrated wine. The remarkable thing about these cuvees is that they smell like a hypothetical blend of a top Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and a serious Bordeaux, possibly a cross blend of a Pomerol and Pauillac. Both wines possess silky sweet tannins, which is the big difference between Dominus post-1990 and the first seven vintages, where the tannin content was relatively high. About 40% new oak is used in their upbringing. P.S. In a couple of years, readers should be on the look-out for a new estate wine from Christian Moueix. One mile north of the Napanook Vineyard, Moueix has purchased a 36-acre, already planted parcel known as the Schmidt Ranch. I tasted some of the 2009 barrel samples and this appears to be another promising venture with a completely different personality a more obviously Napa Valley/Cabernet Sauvignon, ripe style of wine than the more elegant, complex Dominus. I’m not sure what the name will be, but it will definitely not be called the Schmidt Ranch. Tel. (707) 944-8954; Fax (707) 944-0547
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 December 2010