Ulysses Napa Valley Estate Bottled Red Wine 2014 750ML

Ulysses Napa Valley Estate Bottled Red Wine 2014 750ML

Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California

Notes from the Winemaker

Ulysses 2014, with its breadth of dimension and creamy texture, offers rich tobacco, ripe plum and fig aromas balanced beautifully by a long, supple finish.

VINTAGE SUMMARY

2014 was characterized by a very dry early winter with heavy rains in February and continued rainfall in March and April (February: 11.7 inches | March: 4 inches | April: 2 inches). Average temperatures were higher than historical averages, with minor heat spikes in June (101F) and in July (103F). No heat spikes were recorded in August or September

Reviews and Accolades

98 Points/James Suckling
The evolution of this wine has been phenomenal since I tasted it in barrel a year ago with the same black cherry, plum and citrus character but with a turn to orange leaf, dark Chinese tea, and mushroom. Full body, fine and velvety tannins with a touch of dust to the texture. So much chocolate and fruit undertones with forest floor and hints of tobacco, too. The mouthfeel and complexity are seductive. Better from 2022 but a joy to taste. 

94 Points/Decanter
This bright, fresh and concentrated red has a creamy texture and is completely harmonious on the palate, with lush, forward fruit. 

94 Points/Robert Parker's Advocate
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was aged for 17 months in 45% new French oak, is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is dense purple, with sweet cedar wood, unsmoked cigar tobacco, crème de cassis, and black raspberries in a classic, almost St.-Julien/Pauillac style. This emerged from a valley floor vineyard on the west side of Napa, where Christian Moueix told me that 2014 was characterized by generally slightly higher than average temperatures for the summer with only minor heat spikes in June and July. August and September went off without a hitch, and the harvest took place during the month of September. This full-bodied wine will hit its peak in 3-5 years and last for 25-30.

91-94 Points/Vinous
In 2014, the Cabernet Sauvignon is dark, virile and imposing, with notable depth and intensity for the year. Grilled herbs, smoke, tar, graphite, tobacco and licorice meld together in a deep, effortless wine that remains quite embryonic. The darker tonalities of fruit recall the 2013, but the forward, dense fruit leans more towards the style of the 2012. The story of 2014 comes down to rain. Specifically, there was none, and the wine very much reflects that struggle with nature. 

92 Points/Wine Spectator
The warmed dark currant, bitter plum and blackberry paste flavors are enhanced by light tobacco, singed alder and loam accents. The tobacco note asserts itself through the finish, with the fruit content in reserve for now. Shows sneaky acidity, and would benefit from some cellaring.