Ulysses is a 14 hectare plot just west of Highway 29, Napa Valley’s main north-south thoroughfare. Whilst the San Pablo Bay exerts a moderating influence on the more southerly areas of Napa, in Oakville the Yountville hills buffer the coastal effect. This makes summer hotter and winter colder. After Christian Moueix’s acquisition, in 2008, of what would become Ulysses Vineyard, an in-depth analysis of the soil and microclimate was undertaken. This was followed by painstaking vineyard restoration. The distinctive lyre trellising system of Dominus has been adopted as the model at Ulysses. The resulting high canopy keeps the fruit zones shaded. Fanned ‘cross-arms’ measuring two feet across at the top of the canopy further protect against the sun. Narrow rows act as a brake on Napa’s natural vigour, driving competition for nutrients. The ubiquitous Napa dust is rinsed off in the vineyard. As at Dominus, ‘dry’ (unirrigated) farming is fundamental. This encourages the vine roots to dig deep and develop drought resistance. The soil is composed of deep gravel and clay loam. This fast draining soil, as in Bordeaux’s Medoc, is especially suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Indeed, this venerable grape makes up the lion’s share of plantings, at 85-90% as at the 2013 vintage, the remainder being Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Given that Cabernet excels here, it is not surprising that the Moueix team chose to replant the vineyard’s Merlot vines with Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc (possibly because they feel they have enough Merlot back on the right bank of the Gironde). New clonal material has been introduced, including from unspecified top châteaux in Bordeaux…