Bottled in July 2017, Dominus’ more approachable, less tannic sister wine, Napanook, is a blend this year of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Napanook Proprietary Red Wine is redolent of crème de cassis, potpourri, plum preserves and violets with hints of dark chocolate, menthol, licorice and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is densely packed with black fruit preserves and earthy layers, supported by firm, ripe, fine-grained tannins and finishing with great length.

The 2015 Napanook, produced from an incredibly early harvest between September 2-16, is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The wine has a beautiful fragrance of cedar wood, forest floor, underbrush, Christmas fruitcake, blackcurrants and blueberries. I will go out on a limb and say that this opulent, lush, full-bodied Napanook, with its expansive texture and gorgeous purity, will turn out to be one of the finest Napanook’s he has produced to date. It sees about one-third new oak prior to being bottled.