The meticulousness of Christian Moueix's approach to farming paid dividends in the 2014 Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon, from a growing season that saw heat spikes in excess of 37C yet saw excellent quality fruit from this storied Oakville site. Shows a dark, opaque ruby colour in the glass, this vintage of Ulysses still comes off as youthful, with primary aromas of violets, cassis, and blackberry, along with turned earth, savoury wild herbs, soy, and dried flowers. The mouthfeel presents a dazzling display of firm, focused tannins with a chocolaty edge, a penetrating core of dark berry fruit, and a freshness factor from hints of papaya and white pepper. Long and satisfying and perhaps more youthful than expected. This wine has plenty of longevity ahead of it.

Gravel, smoke, graphite, savory herbs, tobacco and iron are some of the signatures in the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon. A typical wine from the eastern sector of Oakville on the border with Yountville, the 2013 is loaded with feral, savory notes, while the expression of blue/blackish fruit lies a bit more in the background. In 2013, the main signature is an expression of structure that is both vertical but also incredibly insistent through to the finish. In other words, this is a super-classic 2013 built for the cellar.

Hints of woodsmoke and licorice mark the nose of the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is beginning to show just a bit of evolution in its deep garnet color. Cigar box and cassis notes emerge with air, while the wine is full-bodied, plush and supple—almost creamy in texture—then adds hints of pencil shavings and graphite on the lingering finish.