Ulysses Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2018

This wine has been talked about for years prior to the much-anticipated launch of the very first, 2012, vintage. With the pedigree of the land, the ownership, and the winemaking team, we knew it would be a welcomed addition to the famous wines of Oakville, however, just how cherished it would be was yet to be determined. Now in its 7th vintage, I am pleased to share that wines of sophistication and grandeur have found a new, worthy companion. This wine is stunning in its focus, structure, vivid fruit, and detail. ULYSSES is a result of Christian Moueix’s ongoing quest to explore the unique character and quality of an exceptional terroir and to translate its specificity in a wine.

Christian's journey began in Bordeaux and continues today in the Napa Valley. Son of the famed Bordeaux wine merchant Jean-Pierre Moueix, Christian was born in Libourne, France. Having studied viticulture at University of California, Davis, his career has been notable by his introducing numerous vineyard practices, once considered revolutionary and now widely employed by most top châteaux. Today, along with Dominus Estate and Ulysses Vineyard in Napa Valley, he and his son, Edouard, produce wine from eight family châteaux in Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. Christian is driven by his zealous pursuit of perfection and his belief in stewardship. His 45-year career has earned him recognition as one of wine’s great visionaries. With deep interests in history, art and literature, Christian interprets the classic tale of Ulysses’ voyage as an epic journey and a lesson in humility. The story evokes commitment, passion and the passage of time, all elements essential to our understanding of a vineyard and its potential to produce great wines.

The precious Ulysses Vineyard is situated along the Napa Valley’s Oakville bench and extends over an alluvial fan at the foot of the Mayacamas Range (near Vine Hill Ranch, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper and Ghost Block’s Rock Cairn vineyard). Formerly part of the Charles Hopper Ranch, this site is truly exceptional land for winegrowing with soil composed of deep, gravelly, clay loam. Christian found that it is particularly well-suited to growing Cabernet Sauvignon and thus started this next project that intrigues lovers of balanced, age-worthy, sophisticated wines. Since the acquisition of the property in 2008, Christian and his team pursued an in-depth understanding of the soil and microclimate and have undertaken a lengthy and meticulous vineyard restoration, choosing Cabernet Sauvignon as the grape with which to make this wine soar to heights achieved when excellence is at its core.

So elegant and substantial with a density that completely draws one in, the sweet cedar and tobacco, coupled with crème de cassis and deep raspberry nuances, this wine offers beautiful aromatics and appeal reminiscent of Bordeaux and Napa Valley together in one. It would be an outstanding addition to your cellar and will undoubtedly bring immense admiration to the art of fine wine when you dive into these bottles. With the winegrowing techniques employed, this wine can be enjoyed now, with decanting, and should continue to age beautifully for a decade or even two. With the winegrowing team’s intention to create a wine using minimal intervention, allowing the terroir to be the true star, the hand-selected berries that go into the bottle are authentic, pure, and of the finest quality. Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the blend dances on the palate, offering lively interaction and enjoyment. From Antonio Galloni, who gave the wine 97 points: “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is the best wine off Christian Moueix’s Oakville ranch so far. Deep, creamy and generous, the 2018 captures the unique blend of fruit in a savoriness that is typical of the southern sector of Oakville where cooling winds from the south lend palpable freshness and vivacity to the vines. Black fruit, chocolate, spice, lavender and new leather are some of the many notes that build into the sumptuous finish.”