Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with small portions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot

Ulysses vineyard was acquired in 2008 by Christian Moueix. Situated along Napa Valley’s Oakville bench and extending over an alluvial fan at the foot of the Mayacamas Range, the site was once part of the famed Charles Hopper ranch and it is exceptional for winegrowing.  The 2017 vintage, shaped by a warm and steady growing season, delivers an effortlessly balanced expression of this singular site.

Fermented with native yeasts and aged 18 months in French oak (about 40% new), the wine walks a fine line between density and grace. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, and graphite are layered with violet, cedar, and a hint of tobacco. On the palate, dark fruit and fine tannins move in quiet rhythm, supported by bright acidity and a mineral edge. The finish is long and composed, revealing structure without heaviness — the hallmark of Moueix’s restrained hand.

James Suckling: 96 Points