DOMINUS, NAPANOOK & OTHELLO 2020

Wine Region

Napa Valley, California

Vineyard

Dominus, Napanook & Othello

In the words of Édouard Moueix, the 2020s “are really pretty, fresh, quite fragrant wines” that will give a lot of pleasure.

The 2020 vintage in the Napa Valley is rather unavoidably associated with the two great challenges that faced California and indeed much of the world at that time, namely COVID-19 and climate change. Although the great Dominus Estate could not avoid lockdown, it thankfully did avoid the effects of California’s devastating wildfires and once again produced fantastic wines.

The history of Dominus dates back to the late 1960s with Christian Moueix, who, whilst studying oenology at the University of California at Davis, fell in love with the Napa Valley and its wines. In 1981, he discovered the historic Napanook Vineyard, a 124-acre site which provided fruit for some of the finest Napa wines of the 1940s and 1950s. Christian entered into a partnership to develop the vineyard from 1982 and in 1995 became its sole owner.

Today, the estate continues to strive to produce wines of balance and freshness and remains committed to organic, dry farming.

Victory snatched from the jaws of defeat sums up 2020 at Dominus.

Don’t miss it!

NEVILLE KIRKPATRICK
FINE WINE TEAM
NOVEMBER 2023

THE 2020 VINTAGE

2020 was characterised by a dry winter and spring. With these warm spring temperatures and the estates well-drained soils, the vines developed balanced shoot growth. Summer temperatures were consistently warm, allowing for a rapid and homogenous ripening. The month of August was marked by the LNU lighting complex fires that began on the 17th, which brought smoke to the Napa Valley. The team at Dominus rinsed the grapes twice and the leaves to avoid any smoke taint. The harvest was just completing on the 27th of September, when the Glass Fire broke out. Thankfully, grapes were unaffected by the fires or the smoke. Fastidious selection by hand as well as optical sorting were critical in eliminating any berries impacted by the heat of the growing season.

OTHELLO 2020

100% Cabernet Sauvignon. There is something quite hedonistic about Othello this year. Aromas of strawberries, blackberries and lead pencil make for a captivating and generous nose. The palate is deliciously ripe, with notes of fresh red fruits, pencil shavings, all knitted together by silken tannins and a cool sense of freshness. As always, a total joy.

Corney & Barrow Score 17+

Recommended drinking from 2024-2029

£195 / case of 6 bottles, in bond UK

NAPANOOK 2020

88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. The nose is serious, dark fruited with detailed notes of coco powder, tobacco and earth. There is considerable structure here, and a dark core of brambly fruit supported by a cool streak of acid. This is not the approachable and flamboyant Napanook of old, but it is certainly impressive and will reward patience

Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+

Recommended drinking from 2025-2031+

£370 / case of 6 bottles, in bond UK

DOMINUS 2020

95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. The nose is coiled, compact and dense, full of blackcurrants, graphite and mocha. Although powerful, there remains a sense of lift and precision that is hugely compelling. The palate too is precise and energetic, with amazing concentration and a velvety texture. There are notes of cassis, cedar and leather with a touch of blackcurrant leaf, refreshed with that all important bolt of acidity.

Corney & Barrow Score 18

Recommended drinking from 2026-2035+

£1,345 / case of 6 bottles, in bond UK

DOMINUSNAPANOOK & OTHELLO

THE 2020 VINTAGE

In-Bond / Retail products