2013 Ulysses (1500 ml)

Napa 力道，Pauillac 優雅——厚實卻不笨重。

為什麼選它？
1) 產地決定口感 -> Oakville 梯田與沖積扇的碎石黏土，讓果味濃而不膩，礦感清晰。好處：酒杯裡立刻有焦點，容易上手也耐陳放。
2) 名家把關 -> Christian Moueix 的細緻釀造與橡木陳年策略，帶來結構與優雅的平衡。好處：既適合收藏，也能醒酒立即享受。
3) 產量稀少 -> 約960箱，單一園來源稀有。好處：宴客或送禮更有面子。

侍酒師私房筆記：倒出來先是紫花和茉莉的清新上頭，接著黑櫻桃、黑加侖的黑色果實趨勢往前推，底層有雪松、石墨和些許甘草。單寧紮實但成熟，像是西裝裁得剛好，不會壓住果味。醒一小時後層次展開，口腔質地飽滿又帶彈性，尾段留下細緻礦物與香料的餘韻。

葡萄園與釀造：9月10–13日採收，來自Oakville坡地及Mayacamas腳下的沖積扇。土壤深厚、排水佳，生長受限帶來高度濃縮。酒款以法國新橡木比例明顯的桶陳完成，使用軟木塞，產量約960箱。

場景化配餐指南：週末約朋友來家中燒烤一桌牛扒、或到天台小聚配韓式烤牛短排，都能被這支酒的結構和香氣撐起場面。

降維打擊對比：比起同價位的舊世界一線酒，Ulysses 給你更直接的果實能量與Napa 的力道，但保有波爾多那種礦物與結構，性價比與稀缺性兼具。

Soul Hook: Napa power with Pauillac poise — concentration that still feels lithe.

Why choose it?
1) Site-driven intensity -> Fruit purity from Oakville's gravelly clay loam delivers layered dark fruit and mineral focus. Benefit: immediate presence in the glass without rustic heaviness.
2) Winemaking pedigree -> Christian Moueix stewardship and careful élevage yield firm structure with polished oak integration. Benefit: serious cellar potential and balanced drinkability now with decanting.
3) Small production rarity -> Only c.960 cases from a single outstanding bench. Benefit: exclusivity for collectors and special-occasion drinkers.

Sommelier's Private Note: The 2013 Ulysses arrives with a fine thread of floral lift—jasmine and violet—then folds into dense black cherry and cassis edged by cedar and graphite. tannins are present but ripe, giving a firm frame rather than shutting the fruit down. With an hour of air it opens into a vivid, layered mouthfeel: concentrated yet agile, finishing long with a mineral echo.

Winemaking & Vineyard: Harvested 10–13 September from the Oakville bench and adjacent alluvial fan, the vines grow on deep, gravelly clay loam that drains freely and concentrates flavor. The 2013 season was dry and warm; limited vigor produced concentrated berries. Matured in French oak (significant new oak typical of the estate) and bottled under cork. Production c.960 cases.

Occasion (How to serve in Hong Kong life): Decant an hour for weekend Cantonese roast beef or a special dinner — pairs brilliantly with BBQ beef at an upscale cha chaan teng-style sharing meal or a city rooftop steak night.

Competitive Edge: Delivers Dominus-level attention to detail in a Napa expression that reads like a first-growth Pauillac — high quality and rarity without the Bordeaux markup.

Specification

• Alcohol %: 14.5%
• Decant Time: 60-90 minutes
• Taste: black cherry, crème de cassis, blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, licorice, violets / floral, jasmine, forest floor / truffle, firm tannins, mineral / hot stone, savory grip
• Food Matching: Grilled ribeye / sirloin, Roast lamb or lamb curry, Venison or game, Korean BBQ (beef short rib), Mature hard cheeses (aged cheddar, Manchego), Rich mushroom dishes or truffle-rubbed steak
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon , Other Bordeaux varieties ,

Winery

Ulysses Vineyard 屬於 Christian Moueix 所有，位於 Oakville 梯田與 Mayacamas 山腳的沖積扇上。土壤為深層碎石黏土，排水好、利於形成結構分明的紅酒。2013 年產量小（約960箱），在偏乾暖的季節於9月初採收。以傳統發酵和橡木桶陳（包含高比例新桶）完成培養，軟木塞封瓶。風格著重果味純淨、礦感與長期陳年能力。

Ulysses Vineyard is owned by Christian Moueix. The site sits on the Oakville bench and an alluvial fan at the foot of the Mayacamas Range — deep, gravelly clay loam that’s ideal for structured red wines. Small-production estate (c.960 cases for 2013). Harvested early to mid-September in a warm, dry season. Traditional fermentation followed by élevage in French oak with a significant portion of new barrels; bottled under cork. The style emphasizes purity, mineral drive and long-term ageing potential.