Ulysses
(Dominus) Estate Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 375 mL
(Napa Valley, California) - [JS 98] [JS 94] [VM 91]

Cult Oakville Wine from Dominus Owner & Winemaker 

Pre-Order - ETA 7 business days from the date of order.

About the Estate:
Ulysses is a Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot produced from Ulysses Vineyard, Oakville, California. Steeped in history, ULYSSES Vineyard, part of the original 1800’s Charles Hopper Ranch, was acquired in 2008 by Christian Moueix. Along the Napa Valley’s Oakville bench and extending over an alluvial fan at the foot of the Mayacamas Range, the site is exceptional for winegrowing. The soil is composed of deep, gravelly, clay loam and is particularly well-suited to
growing Cabernet Sauvignon.

Since the acquisition, Christian Moueix and his team have pursued an in-depth understanding of the soil and microclimate and have undertaken a lengthy and meticulous vineyard restoration. Dry farming, the foundation of Ulysses’ sustainable farming practices, enhances root depth and resistance to drought, resulting in a wine that is a pure expression of its terroir.

Our team’s intention is to produce a wine reflecting the exceptional potential and individuality of the Ulysses Vineyard. Our approach is minimalist, with attentive observation and restrained intervention. Harvested at perfect ripeness and with the utmost care, the grapes undergo both cluster and berry
selection before a gentle vinification and aging.

About the Wine:

WEATHER 2020: The vintage was characterized by a dry winter and spring, with a total of 17” of rain from July 2019 to June 2020 (historical average: 31”). With warm temperatures in the spring and well-drained soils, vines developed balanced shoot growth.Summer temperatures were constantly warm allowing a fast and homogeneous ripening. In the night of August 16th to 17th, about 11,000 lightning strikes across northern California were recorded and sparked the LNU Lightning Complex fires. Until mid-September, there were several days with dense smoke. Testing and microfermentations confirmed that the berries were unaffected by smoke taint.The vines and fruit were rinsed prior to picking. Harvest was completed before grapes could be affected by the Glass Fire which started on September 27. Selection by hand and optical sorting were critical to remove berries impacted by the heat.

Tasting Notes:

Tart cherry, thyme, citrus, blonde tobacco with firm tannins and a powerful persistent finish.

Harvest Start: Sept 14th

Harvest End: Sept 25th

Cases Produced: 700 

98 Points - James Suckling:
"Aromas of tangerine zest and blackcurrants, with the perfume of fresh flowers. Full-bodied with a dusty texture to the tannins. Gorgeous. Nuanced and pure. Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of cabernet franc and petit verdot. Needs three or four years to open." (Feb 2023)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Another incredibly successful 2020, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon offers a big, rich, powerful profile offering ample chocolaty dark fruits, some tobacco, eucalyptus, and mint herb nuances, an expansive, layered texture, and building yet polished and ripe tannins. It's a beautiful wine that should age gracefully for 15-20 years." (Dec 2023)

91 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a seriously beautiful wine. It offers notable depth and texture at the outset. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, leather and licorice are all amplified. Slightly angular contours linger on the finish, but that is just the personality of the year. This is a very good wine for the vintage. Time in the glass amplifies the intense, bruising tannins. Let's see where this goes." Drink 2024-2032 - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2023)