Dominus Estate Napanook Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 Old Rioja Merlot is one of the

Merlot is one of the more underrated grapes in the lineup

and uses traditional methods like natural cochineal dye for coloring

— else makes wine at this level and then…waits

and the heat-wave vintage played directly to that style

Dominus Estate Napanook Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 Old Rioja Merlot is one of theNapanook is the name of the historic Yountville vineyard that gave rise to Dominus, and it's also the name of the estate's second wine. Made from younger vines and parcels not selected for the grand vin, it's a more approachable, earlier drinking expression of the same address and the same Bordelais hand. The 2023 is open and pretty out of the gate, with black cherry, cassis, leafy tobacco, graphite, and sage over polished tannins. The way into