2012 Ulysses
Description
The 2012 Ulysses (800 cases) is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest other Bordeaux varietals. A structured, dense purple wine that displays plenty of cedar wood, crème de cassis, licorice and graphite, the wine is full-bodied, rich, backward and dense, but beautifully pure fruit and an almost Pontet-Canet-like purity and density are hallmarks of this brilliant wine. Forget it for 4-5 years and drink it over the following 20-25.
I had the privilege to taste this new estate vineyard wine from Christian Moueix several months before the 2012 would be released. Moueix purchased the old Schmidt Ranch, which is just to the north of his iconic Napanook vineyard. The AVA is different, as he is on the southern border of the Oakville appellation. This is pure valley floor soil with great drainage, just to the south of Martha's Vineyard and the famous To Kalon of both Mondavi and Andy Beckstoffer. Several vintages have been made, but not yet released. The first official release is the 2012. This is a completely different style of wine than those produced at Dominus. While the property is much smaller (40 acres vs. the very large Napanook vineyard), a similar élevage is employed, with 40% to 50% new French oak, and bottling after the wine spends 20 months in wood. Moueix told me that the site, even though it is so close to Napanook, is warmer in the summer by several degrees and colder in the winter, Additionally, the soils are deeper. What Moueix has done is produce a wine that is in complete contrast to Dominus. The wines of Dominus are known for their silky complexity, and even though there is virtually no Merlot in any of the top vintages, they always have an almost Pomerol-like lushness and opulence. Ulysses, on the other hand, is a Napa version of a first or second growth Pauillac. The crème de cassis, the licorice, the purity and the graphite notes are present in all three of these vintages, just in varying degrees.
- Alcohol %: 14.5 - 15%
- Decant Time: 2 hours
- Taste: ripe red cherry, wild flowers, spice notes, savory herbs, cedar wood, crème de cassis, licorice, graphite
- Food Matching: grilled steak, roast lamb, aged cheddar, mushroom risotto
- Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon : 95%, Cabernet Franc , Petit Verdot ,
Tasting note
2012 年的尤利西斯葡萄酒來自納帕谷的奧克維爾產區，這是一款令人驚豔的葡萄酒。這款酒主要由赤霞珠釀成，並加入少量其他波爾多品種。酒體呈深紫色，散發出成熟的紅櫻桃、野花和層層香料及草本植物的複雜香氣。入口後，酒體飽滿且豐富，帶有雪松木、黑醋栗奶油、甘草和石墨的風味。這款酒具有美妙的純淨度和密度，非常適合陳年。建議醒酒 2 小時，以充分欣賞其深度和複雜性。搭配烤牛排、烤羊肉、陳年切達乾酪或蘑菇燴飯，將帶來難忘的用餐體驗。
The 2012 Ulysses Vineyard is a remarkable wine from the Oakville appellation in Napa Valley. This wine is predominantly composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, with a touch of other Bordeaux varietals. It boasts a deep purple color and offers a complex bouquet of ripe red cherry, wild flowers, and layers of spice notes and savory herbs. On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich, with flavors of cedar wood, crème de cassis, licorice, and graphite. The wine has a beautiful purity and density, making it a great candidate for aging. Decant for 2 hours to fully appreciate its depth and complexity. Pair it with grilled steak, roast lamb, aged cheddar, or mushroom risotto for an unforgettable dining experience.
Winery
尤利西斯葡萄園是位於納帕谷奧克維爾產區的著名酒莊，由克里斯蒂安·穆埃克斯擁有。葡萄園位於馬亞卡馬斯山脈腳下的沖積扇上，土壤深厚，含有礫石和黏土，非常適合種植赤霞珠。葡萄園受益於獨特的小氣候，夏季較溫暖，冬季較寒冷，與附近的葡萄園相比有所不同。釀酒過程中精心照料，葡萄酒在 40% 至 50% 的新法國橡木桶中陳釀 20 個月後裝瓶。最終產生的葡萄酒具有卓越的純淨度和陳年潛力，與 Dominus 釀造的葡萄酒截然不同。
Ulysses Vineyard is a prestigious estate located in the Oakville appellation of Napa Valley. Owned by Christian Moueix, the vineyard is situated on an alluvial fan at the foot of the Mayacamas Range, with deep, gravelly, clay loam soil ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard benefits from a unique microclimate, with warmer summers and cooler winters compared to nearby vineyards. The winemaking process involves meticulous care, with the wine aged in 40% to 50% new French oak barrels for 20 months before bottling. The result is a wine of exceptional purity and aging potential, distinct from the wines produced at Dominus.
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