Ratings Ratings 97 94 ...
97 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com
Aromas of blueberries, ash and stones with hints of blackberries, orange peel and chocolate. It’s medium-bodied with medium-round tannins that are polished and velvety but always in check. Cedar and baking spices like nutmeg on the palate. Lovely soft and silky texture with a long finish. Enchanting and delicious. 92% cabernet sauvginon, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. From organically grown grapes. Drink now or hold.
94 Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Palate
The 2023 Napanook is composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with bold notes of black cherries, warm cassis, and tilled soil, giving way to hints of wild sage, graphite, black pepper, and underbrush. Full-bodied, the palate delivers a solid backbone of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness to back up the muscular black fruit layers, finishing long and earthy.
94 Joe Czerwinski - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Easily rivaling the excellent 2021—might it be even better?—Dominus's 2023 Napanook originates largely from the middle portion of the vineyard as a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% each Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Qualitatively and stylistically, it sits nicely between the lighter, crisper Othello and the vin de garde produced from the more gravelly section of the vineyard at the back, closest to the Mayacamas. Cherries and dusty loam are joined by hints of vanilla on the nose, while the medium- to full-bodied palate is lush, with a seductive swell of fruit and tannins that flows seamlessly into a long finish tinged with black olives and black tea, framed by soft tannins.
94 Wine Spectator
Pure and nicely defined, with a lilting core of cassis, cherry and plum notes that stream through, keeping touches of tobacco, ink and warm paving stone tucked in the background. The fresh finish is nicely knit, with a subtle iron twang at the very end. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2038. 3,500 cases made.
93 Antonio Galloni - Vinous
The 2023 Napanook is deep, bold and luscious right out of the gate. Black cherry, lavender, dried herbs and graphite fill out its mid-weight frame quite nicely. I expect the 2023 will drink well with minimal cellaring, as it is already quite open and doesn't quite have the tannic palate presence of more important years
92 Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com
Deep purple-hued and the second wine of this reference point domaine, the 2023 Napanook offers classic currants, leafy tobacco, graphite, and underbrush notes in a medium-bodied, very pretty, pure, elegant, and graceful style. Based on 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot and aged 20 months in 20% new French oak, it has ripe and polished tannins, perfectly integrated acidity, and a great finish. This classic, classy Cabernet will keep for 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2040.
Specifications Specifications
| Item # | 151071 |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| Sub-Region | Napa |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | N/A |
| Size | 750mL |
| Closure | Cork |
| Varietal(s) | Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot |
| Taste | currant, blackberry, cherry, bell pepper, olive, asparagus, spice, ginger, oak, vanilla, tobacco, raspberry, cassis, violet, pepper, green bean, lead, cedar, molasses and dark fruit |
| Nose | currant, blackberry, cherry, cedar, cigar box, tobacco, broccoli, berry, flower, mocha, leather and vanilla |

