2009 Dominus Napanook
By Dominus
2009 Dominus Napanook from Dominus, Napa Valley, USA
Rarely does a wine exude such sophistication and nuanced elegance as the 2009 Dominus Napanook from Dominus. This captivating fine wine from USA, with its complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc transcends our normal perception of New World wines.
A Vintage to Stir the Passion
2009 was a year that delivered radiance and depth of flavor. We see this manifest splendidly in the Napanook; undulating currant and black cherry notes meet the undercurrents of cedar and peppercorn to offer a symphony for the senses.
The maturation process has delivered a wine with unparalleled grace. Each layered sip unfurls like a majestic tapestry woven with threads of seasoned oak and plump sweet fruits. This is indeed an eloquent postulation of what careful winemaking can achieve.
An Opulent Honoring of Terroir
Napa Valley, with its Mediterranean climate and diverse soils emboldens the pedigree of the grapes involved. But none more so than in this 2009 vintage. Here we see ripe, voluptuous fruit juxtaposed against bold tannins in a dance of equilibrium and finesse.
This notable vintage combines the best that the terroir and climatic conditions have to offer; weaving a fascinating narrative in every glass. It serves as a testament to Dominus’ mastery in winemaking and marks an investable highlight in their esteemed portfolio.
New Dawn for New World Wines
With the 2009 Dominus Napanook serving as an ode to exquisite wine making and exceptional vintages, it's no wonder that wine aficionados the world over hold this varietal in high regard. A beacon of premier New World winemaking, this wine matches flavor complexity with an eloquent structure; crafting an unparalleled experience for the discerning palate.
To invest in the '2009 Dominus Napanook' is to honour, covet and recognise the true beauty, depth, and potential of fine wines from USA. It resonates a siren call to those who appreciate excellence and constantly seek it amidst the sea of wines. Here lies not just a libation, but a symbol of elegance, grace and unyielding passion for the artistry of wine.
Market price (HKD)
HK$6,770.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
54.62
Scores and 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
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 30 October 2013