2015 Napanook 0,75l Dominus Estate

The 2015 Napanook is dark, plush and inviting, all of which make it an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Super-ripe black cherry, plum, spice and licorice notes are all pushed forward in a decidedly lush, open-knit Napanook that will be ready to go pretty much upon release.

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 is a striking, open-knit wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring, something that has not been the case since 2012. A host of blue/purplish fruits, cedar, smoke, tobacco and dark spices are front and center. Fleshy, soft and welcoming, the 2015 is a wine of pure sensual allure. It might not be the most complex or profound Napanook, but I doubt that is what consumers are looking for at this level.