Dominus’s Napanook vineyard is rooted in well-drained volcanic clay-loam that is well-suited for Cabernet Sauvignon in particular and Bordeaux varietals in general. The land was first planted in 1838 by George Yount (who gave the nearby town of Yountville its name). Since then, the property has had several esteemed owners, including John Daniel (the owner of Inglenook), who included the grapes from the Napanook vineyard in his Inglenook blend. Christian Moueix began farming the land in 1982. It’s a special spot. Enjoying a temperate climate, warm, dry summers are tempered by cooling breezes from the San Pablo Bay. The mid-valley location affords moderate temperatures, even through cold, wet winters.

The attention to detail is immense. Today, the vineyard is dry-farmed. Instead of running irrigation lines, the old vines’ deep root systems reach natural water sources and extract minerals from the soil. Fruit is harvested by hand in small baskets to preserve the integrity of the fruit. The sunny side of the vines is harvested a few days earlier than the shady side to attain perfect, consistent maturity. The reward is wine with complex flavour that is deeply connected to the soil.

“An open and beautiful wine with green-olive and currant aromas and flavors. Some bark and earth, too, together with mushrooms, herbs, crushed stones and pomegranate. Medium to full body with round, creamy tannins and refined finish. Blood orange at the end. Crunchy. So drinkable now, but will age beautifully.” 96 points, James Suckling, April 2022 

“Tod Mostero, director of viticulture and winemaking, described today’s Napanook label as “a selection of lots based on the vintage, tending towards more loosely woven tannins and more approachability when young.” The 2019 Napanook is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot, harvested from September 29 to October 10. It was aged in 40% new oak. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it springs from the glass with Morello cherries, black raspberries, and black currant pastilles scents, followed by hints of cinnamon toast, chocolate box, pencil shavings, and menthol, plus a waft of lilacs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely coated with vibrant, energetic black and red fruits, framed by beautifully plush tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long with a spicy lift. It is scrumptious right now in this fruity flush of youth, albeit with a good six hours+ in a decanter. Otherwise, leave it a good 3-5 years in the cellar and drink it over the next 18+ years. 2450 cases were made, to be released in April 2022.”  94+ points, The Wine Independent 

“Exuberantly fruity on the nose, the 2019 Napanook is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Despite seeing 40% new French oak, what shines on the nose are the ripe cherries, delicately brushed with wisps of tobacco, sage and bay leaf. It’s medium to full-bodied, supple and silky in feel on the palate, while the finish lingers easily, adding notes of pencil shavings and mocha. To get this sort of pedigree for less than $100 is a rarity in Napa these days, making it a notable value.” 93 points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, May 2022