Dominus Estate Napanook Napa Valley California USA 2011

91 points James Suckling A tangy, fresh red with green tobacco, light chocolate and cherries. Full to medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. 83% cabernet sauvignon, 9% petit verdot and 8% cabernet franc. Drink now. (5/2014) 91 points Vinous The 2011 Napanook is deep, rich and intense for the year. Plums, mocha, spices, licorice all flesh out in an inviting wine to drink now and over the next few years. The 2011 has no hard edges or greenness, but the medium-bodied structure suggests it is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. The blend is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc. (AG) (11/2013) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2011 Napanook, from a challenging vintage, is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc. It reveals lots of weedy underbrush and herbal characteristics along with pomegranate, sweet cherry and sassafras notes. It also possesses an attractive earthy/autumnal vegetative character, but finishes narrowly with light tannin. Consume it during its first 8-10 years of life. (RP) (10/2013) Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Aromas of licorice, pepper, herbs, chicory and leather, plus a hint of lemon zest. In a distinctly herbal style, with cocoa and coffee bean notes complicating the flavors of cassis leaf and pepper. Shows a fairly fine-grained texture and good length but the finish betrays slightly dry tannins and a continuing leafy quality. (ST) (5/2014)