Dominus "Ulysses Estate" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical '14, '15 & '17
Regular price $520.00 Sale price $489.97 Save $30.03
About the Estate:
Ulysses Vineyard, once part of the 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 grape growing.
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.
What this wood-box vertical includes:
Ulysses 2014, with its breadth of dimension and creamy texture, offers rich tobacco, ripe plum and fig aromas balanced beautifully by a long, supple finish.
2015 Vintage:
Offering tremendous opulence, Ulysses 2015 marries lavender and sage in voluptuous layers of blond tobacco and blue plum. A wine of great potential.
2017 Vintage:
With black tea leaf and brioche, Ulysses 2017 delivers dense layers of deep cherry, balsamic, peat, forest berries and fresh walnut, woven through a finely grained texture, and a lingering warm cacao powder finish.
Ratings & Reviews
98 Points - James Suckling (2014 Vintage):
"The evolution of this wine has been phenomenal since I tasted it in barrel a year ago with the same black cherry, plum and citrus character but with a turn to orange leaf, dark Chinese tea, and mushroom. Full body, fine and velvety tannins with a touch of dust to the texture. So much chocolate and fruit undertones with forest floor and hints of tobacco, too. The mouthfeel and complexity are seductive. Better from 2022 but a joy to taste. Spring 2018 release." (Jan 2018)
96 Points - James Suckling (2015 Vintage):
"Aromas of dark fruit, such as blackberries and black olives, as well as black tea and tanned leather. Raspberries and lemon spices, too. Full-bodied, very tight and polished with beautiful tannins and a weave of fruit and acidity to beautifully buttress the whole wine. Balanced and bright for the vintage. Drink in 2020 and onwards." (5/23/2018)
96 Points & #94 Top US Wines for 2020 - James Suckling (2017 Vintage):
"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 2020. So beautiful to drink now." (1/9/2020)
Ulysses Vineyard, once part of the 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 grape growing.
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.
What this wood-box vertical includes:
- 1x Ulysses Estate Proprietary Red 2014 [JS 98] [WA 94] [DM 94] [VM 91]
- 1x Ulysses Estate Proprietary Red 2015 [JS 96] [VM 96] [WA 95] [WS 93]
- 1x Ulysses Estate Proprietary Red 2017 [JS 96] [WS 95]
Tasting Notes
2014 Vintage:Ulysses 2014, with its breadth of dimension and creamy texture, offers rich tobacco, ripe plum and fig aromas balanced beautifully by a long, supple finish.
2015 Vintage:
Offering tremendous opulence, Ulysses 2015 marries lavender and sage in voluptuous layers of blond tobacco and blue plum. A wine of great potential.
2017 Vintage:
With black tea leaf and brioche, Ulysses 2017 delivers dense layers of deep cherry, balsamic, peat, forest berries and fresh walnut, woven through a finely grained texture, and a lingering warm cacao powder finish.
Ratings & Reviews
98 Points - James Suckling (2014 Vintage):"The evolution of this wine has been phenomenal since I tasted it in barrel a year ago with the same black cherry, plum and citrus character but with a turn to orange leaf, dark Chinese tea, and mushroom. Full body, fine and velvety tannins with a touch of dust to the texture. So much chocolate and fruit undertones with forest floor and hints of tobacco, too. The mouthfeel and complexity are seductive. Better from 2022 but a joy to taste. Spring 2018 release." (Jan 2018)
96 Points - James Suckling (2015 Vintage):
"Aromas of dark fruit, such as blackberries and black olives, as well as black tea and tanned leather. Raspberries and lemon spices, too. Full-bodied, very tight and polished with beautiful tannins and a weave of fruit and acidity to beautifully buttress the whole wine. Balanced and bright for the vintage. Drink in 2020 and onwards." (5/23/2018)
96 Points & #94 Top US Wines for 2020 - James Suckling (2017 Vintage):
"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 2020. So beautiful to drink now." (1/9/2020)