(Dominus) Ulysses Estate Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
(Napa Valley, California) 750 ml - [JS 96, #94 Top 100 Of 2020] [WS 95] [VM 94] [DM 93]

Cult Oakville Wine from Dominus Owner & Winemaker 

Notes From The Winemaker:

In 2017 the Ulysses wine label has been slightly modified, indicating the Oakville provenance, and bearing the signature of Christian Moueix.

Ulysses is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of  Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Tasting Notes:

With black tea leaf and brioche, Ulysses 2017 delivers dense layer so deep cherry, balsamic, peat, forest berries and fresh walnut, woven through a finely grained texture, and a lingering warm cacao powder finish.

96 Points, #94 Top 100 Of 2020 - James Suckling:
"Extremely aromatic with crushed berries, currants, flowers and hints of uncured tobacco leaf. Carnations. Medium to full body and extremely fine tannins that are firm and polished. Vertical tannins draw you down. Some blanched-walnut character to the blue fruit. Fresh and clean at the finish. Release in spring 2021. So beautiful to drink now."

95 Points - Wine Spectator:
This is packed with the ripe, vivid fruit of the vintage, sporting intense cassis, raspberry and blackberry flavors allied to prodigious structure in the form of licorice root and roasted apple wood notes. Rippling with muscle through the finish, but without being domineering, showing focus and detail. Like a Richard Serra, this is seemingly immense at first glance, but steadily pulls you in with its details. Best from 2022 through 2038. 1,000 cases made.

94 Points - Vinous:
"The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is soft, understated and classy, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next 15-20 years. The purity of the red-fleshed fruit is striking, as is the wine's freshness and overall silkiness. All of the elements are so well balanced. The 2017 naturally doesn't have the pedigree or breadth of the very best years, but it is an absolute pleasure to taste." AG (10/21)

93 Points - Decanter:
" The 2017 Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville is clearly a child of its growing season, which generally witnessed warm temperatures and a record-setting heat spike of over 44C in early September, causing the fruit to ripen rapidly, reducing yields and upping the concentration. The 2017 incarnation of this perennially excellent red shows the heat of the vintage in its red-fruited profile, which is lifted with blue fruit aromatics and sweet tobacco on the nose. The medium-bodied palate offers red currants, spiced plums, cranberry, and pomegranate notes tinged with dried sage and clove. The tannins have a crispness to them—an edginess, even—and need time to resolve. The finish is long, with an intriguing agave note layered with a turned earth-richness. Best to enjoy over the next 5-8 years." - Jonathan Cristaldi (May 2024)