I was in a local store and found this for $22 a bottle. At that price, I figured I might as well pick up 2 to see if I liked them and maybe buy more.
Popped and poured with diner. No air time other than the time it got in the glass during dinner. I have to say that this wine is way too young for me to be able to give a firm opinion on, as I expect it to change a lot with age. Also, I would have a very difficult time placing this as a California wine. I would have thought it to be a a Graves if I was tasting it blind.
It is full of bright red fruit and earth. At this stage, the oak is a bit to much for me. It becomes the dominant note in the wine and overwhelms the rest of the positives. Assuming that the oak moderates in time, as it should, the wine will end up in a very nice state.
My ultimate conclusion is that I opened this at least 5 years too early and it is a very good value at the price I paid. I think I will pick up a few more and put them in the far reaches of the cellar to rest for a while.
Thanks for the note.
I would have taken a flyer at that price too, WS pro low is $29. Sounds like its worh it for the sub $25 crowd to stick a few away.
Costco recently lowered the price of this wine here from $38 to $29, prompting me to pick up a couple more myself. Having said that, I thought that the 04 was better.
Rob,
That makes sense to me based on the vintage characteristics. With the 04 being more fruit forward than 05, I think that would have added some depth to this wine that I would have liked.
Thanks for the note. If I found some locally at that price I would probably grab some. $40 at winex.
Jason
I actually thought the '04 might be the best Napanook ever.
That is a fantastic price. Can’t even get it around here for less than $40
Let’s see… 2005 Vieille Cure for $20/bottle, or Napanook for $30+. I just don’t understand how some California wineries get their pricing schemes.
Great find, Bruce. Definitely a score for $25. The couple younger Dominus wines I’ve had all showed tons of oak early. The couple olders one had integrated. If this does the same, sounds like absolutely awesome value.
Been a fan of Napanook since the inception of the second wine back in '96. Would have gotten a case at that price.
I have to confess, I would prefer to drink the Napanook. That being said, Vieille Cure is not $20 normally, it is on a closeout currently in NY, but 2005 Vieille Cure retail is $35.
Binny’s/Chicago current sale price is 30.00, original price 40.00
The wholesaler in NY is sitting on a ton of 2005 Napanook, of course, they have no idea how to sell wine and never discount stuff. Instead they are barely buying the 2006 vintage. Seems like a good way to do biz.