2023 Dominus Napanook Proprietary Red Wine

2023 Dominus Estate Napanook is the second wine of the legendary Dominus Estate, yet it hardly deserves that designation. Hailing from the same historic Napanook Vineyard and made by the same team led by Christian Moueix, Napanook offers an impressive combination of accessibility, finesse, and the distinctive terroir of Dominus. The 2023 vintage ranks among the best ever produced and approaches the quality of a Grand Vin remarkably closely.

Dominus Estate

Dominus Estate is located on the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, one of the oldest and most prestigious vineyards in Napa Valley. The history of this special place dates back to the 1830s. Since 1983, the estate has been managed by Christian Moueix, owner of Château Petrus in Pomerol, among others. His vision was clear: to produce a wine in which the Napa Valley terroir takes center stage, but with the precision, elegance, and restraint so characteristic of great Bordeaux wines.

The vineyards are organically farmed and dry-cultivated, allowing the roots to grow deep into the stony soil. Low yields, strict selection, and minimal intervention in the cellar result in wines known for their refinement, balance, and exceptional aging potential.

For more information about Dominus Estate, please refer to the Winery tab.

Napanook Vineyard

Napanook originates from the central part of the famous Napanook Vineyard, directly behind the winery. These plots form the bridge between the richer clay and silt soils of Othello and the stony, highly concentrated plots where the iconic Dominus comes from. As a result, Napanook possesses both the accessibility and the refinement that characterize the estate.

The 2023 volume

After an exceptionally wet winter, the growing season began more than two weeks later than usual. The abundant rain ensured excellent water reserves, while a cool, consistent summer without extreme heat allowed the grapes to ripen slowly. The long hang time resulted in perfect aromatic ripeness, beautiful freshness, and silky tannins. The harvest took place between October 7 and 18.

It is striking that Dominus chose not to release any wine from the 2022 vintage at all, because it did not meet the estate's quality standards. The 2023 demonstrates the uncompromising way in which work is carried out at Dominus.

Blending and vinification

The 2023 Napanook consists of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. After an extremely careful selection, the grapes are fermented separately. Following malolactic fermentation, the different batches age separately in French oak barrels, after which the final blend is created. The result is a wine that clearly bears the Dominus signature, yet offers great drinking pleasure even when relatively young.

Scent, taste and character

The nose opens with aromas of black cherries, blueberries, and blackberries, followed by notes of graphite, wet earth, lavender, orange peel, dark chocolate, cedarwood, and subtle spices. The wine possesses striking aromatic precision and elegance.

On the palate, Napanook is rich and seductive, with a silky texture and beautifully integrated tannins. Dark fruit, black tea, black olives, and refined spices are supported by fresh acidity and a lovely mineral undertone. The wine has great depth, yet remains remarkably accessible and refined.

The long finish reveals nuances of cassis, graphite, cedarwood, and fine spices for minutes. Although very attractive even when young, this wine possesses sufficient structure to develop further over the next fifteen years.

Professional reviews

The international wine press is particularly enthusiastic about this vintage. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate calls the 2023 possibly even better than the excellently received 2021 and praises the harmony, texture, and long finish. James Suckling awards the wine 97 points and laudes the velvety structure, precision, and drinkability. Antonio Galloni emphasizes the open, accessible style and the refined balance that make this vintage so appealing.

Drinking window and food and wine pairings

The 2023 Napanook is already remarkably accessible, but will evolve beautifully between 2027 and 2040.

Preferably serve the wine at 16 to 18°C and decant it about an hour before serving.

An excellent accompaniment to grilled beef, sirloin, rack of lamb, game dishes, duck breast, truffle dishes, roasted mushrooms, and aged hard cheeses.