Dominus Estate Napanook 2013 rated loftily by Suckling

Barbara and I drove up to D.C. for the weekend. Her grade school class, Our Lady of Lourdes, in Bethesda celebrated their 50th anniversary. It was very enjoyable, but we decided to pass on the pasta buffet and just hung in for the cocktail party. The Hyatt is home to Morton’s, and we were staying there. So, it looked like a better option. Morton’s is very expensive folks, but it is worth the price for the food and service. They did not miss even a smidge. The wine list is a major, major rip off, though. Fairly mundane wine of recent vintage being sold a four and more time mark up. I'm guessing a lot big biz largesse to federal government "bidness" is buying. 

Is it my imagination or are there relatively few election signs up? We were surprised at the paucity, for the national candidates as well as for locals. Well anyhow, no matter your choices, please vote. 

On Wednesday I voted to sample a bottle of Dominus Estate Napanook 2013. Napanook is the second label of Dominus Estate. All the grapes were sourced from Napanook Vineyards, the historic Yountville vineyard, where John Daniel was producing wonderful Cabs for Inglenook during the 1940-70s era. I am using the term second label advisedly because the 2012 were a McD 93, and the 2013 Napanook were rated from RP 93 to a lofty 97 by Suckling. Sadly for us, this has brought price escalation. As usual, when there is such a disparity in the scoring, the descriptions were quite different also. Suckling found mushrooms, truffles, oranges and tangerines. RP wrote, "loamy soil notes, grilled herbs, meat, blackcurrants, sweet kirsch and licorice." And the guy I trust most of the three, Anthony Galloni, named, "plums, violets, licorice and smoke." You know I had to put my two cents in. I was forced to contact Jean Lafitte and his trusted sidekick Dominic You to smuggle a bottle. However, if you are patient, I'm fairly sure your local wine shop pal will be able to secure some for you. If you pay under $75, you are getting a good deal. The Spectator 97 caused a $50 spike but prices are sliding back now. Very dark, slight red tinge and ruby rim, extremely young, needed decanting and patience to review.  Complex juice with forest floor, hints of oak, dark fruit and violets. The dry palate is full and round, dark fruit with hints of black pepper, espresso, wood, smoke and leather. Extremely long finish. Tannins very tight but necessary to allow a minimum of seven years and long time aging. Will drink at least thru 2035. This is a huge wine but not jammy. You can see the Euro influence that Mr. Moueix has brought to USA.

Surpise! There's another bell-ringing Chardonnay from David Ramey. The guy's a Sonoma chardonnay genius. His Platt Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, 2013 is excellent. Once again the scribes have driven the price. This is his best since the remarkable 2009 which I rated 94 points. The 2014 equally deserve a 94-point McD rating. The cool pacific breeze allows more hang time for the fruit, allowing Ramey to produce a lovely Burgundian style chardonnay. Pale golden colored, it opens with mild oak, pear and a hint of pineapple aromas. Full bodied, nicely acidic and bright. On the palate, lemon, vanilla, oak and green apple with a vague white pepper and pineapple nuance, riding a balanced mineral frame. Long finish is dry with reverbs of acidity and fruit flavors. These are fairly priced under $63. I served some lobster mac and cheese with this. Used a nutty Annelies from Walter Raas. The butterscotch and cocoa finish, of the cheese, played well with the wine. It was scrumptious, if I do say so myself.