Description

2019 ULYSSES

Oakville – Napa Valley

Ulysses is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of  Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

 

Harvest Start: Sept 26th

Harvest End: October 11th

Bottling: May 2021

Cases Produced: 1200

Release Date March 2023

 

WEATHER 2019:  

• • The 2019 vintage was characterized by heavy rains in winter and spring, with a total of 53” of rain compared to an historical average of 31”.
  • A year of contrasts, a warm January was followed by the coldest February since 1998. 
  • April was the second warmest April on record after 2013, but May (during bloom) was particularly rainy and cold. 
  • The first heat wave of the season was on June 10th and 11th reaching 102 F, which represented a violent change of temperature after the very cold month of May.
  • With soils saturated and warm temperatures, shoot growth was exuberant.
  • The summer was warm with several heat spikes and high temperatures exceeding the historical average from June to September.

Winemaker’s Notes: 

• • The wine opens with vibrant floral stems, red currants, forest undergrowth and iron ore, tightly wrapped in a lingering dark chocolate finish.

 

Jeb Dunnuck-97 Points

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) with the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Incredible aromatics of red and black currants, spring flowers, graphite, camphor, and cedar define the aromatics, and it’s incredibly polished and elegant on the palate, with medium to full body, gorgeous tannins, and a great finish. This is another awesome 2019 that matches ample richness and depth with a terrific sense of finesse. Drink bottles over the coming two decades.

James Suckling-97 Points

A very elegant wine from the Dominus team that contrasts with most wines from this generally opulent vintage. Opens with red fruit, raspberries and cherries, laced with mineral and savory notes before darker fruit, tobacco, blackcurrant and rich earth flavors fill the palate. Very silky tannins, a medium body and a sense of refreshment with good acidity. Composed of cabernet sauvignon with touches of cabernet franc and petit verdot. A super well-balanced wine that’s tempting to drink now, but best from 2029.

Vinous-95 Points

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a very pretty Oakville Cabernet. Bright acids and lifted aromatics meld into a core of dark red-fleshed fruit laced with attractive exotic overtones. A wine of linear intensity, the 2019 impresses with its persistence and overall drive. It will be interesting to see if the 2019 develops a bit more mid-palate richness and overall depth. I suspect the heavy rains in spring and two heat spikes in late summer had some effect in a site, which was entirely replanted in 2008.

Wine Spectator-93 Points

A rich, slow-moving style, with waves of cassis, plum reduction and Black Forest cake laced with licorice root and espresso crema along the way. The finish delivers heavy glossy toast notes, which should be soaked up in due time. This should unwind nicely with cellaring. Best from 2024 through 2038.

 

 

 

2019  |  Tech Sheet  |  POS  |  Label  |  Bottle Shot