Along the Napa Valley’s Oakville bench and extending over an alluvial fan at the foot of the Mayacamas Range, the site is exceptional for grape growing.
The soil is composed of deep, gravelly, clay loam and is particularly well-suited to growing Cabernet Sauvignon.
Since the acquisition, Christian Moueix and his team have pursued an in-depth understanding of the soil and microclimate and have undertaken a lengthy and meticulous vineyard restoration.
Dry farming, the foundation of Ulysses’ sustainable farming practices, enhances root depth and resistance to drought, resulting in a wine that is a pure expression of its terroir.
to explore the unique character and quality of an exceptional terroir and to translate its specificity in a wine. His is a journey that began in Bordeaux and continues today in the Napa Valley.
Son of the famed Bordeaux wine merchant Jean-Pierre Moueix, Christian was born in Libourne, France. Having studied viticulture at University of California, Davis, his career has been notable by his introducing numerous vineyard practices, once considered revolutionary and now widely employed by most top chateaux. Today, along with Dominus Estate and Ulysses Vineyard in Napa Valley, he and his son, Edouard, produce wine from eight family chateaux in Pomerol and Saint Emilion.
Christian is driven by his zealous pursuit of perfection and his belief in stewardship. His 45-year career has earned him recognition as one of wine’s great visionaries. With deep interests in history, art and literature, Christian interprets the classic tale of Ulysses’ voyage as an epic journey and a lesson in humility. The story evokes commitment, passion and the passage of time, all elements essential to our understanding of a vineyard and its potential to produce great wines.
The 2019 Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of truffle, blackberries, cassis bud and tobacco with tight polished tannins. A vertical structure and persistent intensity.
Review:
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) with the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Incredible aromatics of red and black currants, spring flowers, graphite, camphor, and cedar define the aromatics, and it's incredibly polished and elegant on the palate, with medium to full body, gorgeous tannins, and a great finish. This is another awesome 2019 that matches ample richness and depth with a terrific sense of finesse.
-Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
Schwarz The Schiller Shiraz is made from 100 percent Shiraz.
The Schiller Shiraz is a wine rich in both flavor and history. The 400 Shiraz vines planted by Carl August Otto Schiller in 1881 are something to be treasured. Earmarked for bulldozers in 2006, a last minute reprieve would see these Ancestor vines remain in the ground. The grapes are hand-picked from the sixth generation Schiller family vineyard at Hallett Valley in the Barossa. Jason first made this wine in 2008, and since then it has been his flagship wine.
Opens quickly to luxe fruits, black plum & fruits of the forest, building in layers of toasty smoked bacon, tobacco leaf and Mediterranean herbs with nuances of spice and earthy tones. A luxurious palate of old vine fruits, savory overtones and fine slippery tannins. A long harmonious finish.
Review:
The Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner Red Blend is made from a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono.
Bright aromas of ripe raspberry, vanilla, and coconut give way to flavors of fresh and dried blackberry, pomegranate, and vanilla, which linger harmoniously for a smooth and luscious finish.The Prisoner Red Blend was inspired by the wines first made by the Italian immigrants who originally settled in Napa Valley. The Prisoner is now the most recognized red blend, leading the resurgence of interesting blends by incorporating Zinfandel with the unlikely mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono.
On the nose, dried blackberry, dried açai berries, and hints of cedar and tobacco leaf are accented by sweet spices of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Flavors of ripe dark cherry, blackberry coulis, and hints of anise linger harmoniously for a soft, vibrant finish balanced by ripe tannins.
Chef Brett recommends pairing The Prisoner Red Blend with Kalbi Short Ribs or Chicken Mole Tostada.
Vineyards: When you outgrow winemaking tradition, you must forge your own path. And we did. The Prisoner exists because of the collaboration with our growers, many of which have been with us since the very beginning—from the Solari Family Vineyard in Calistoga, where old school sensibilities meet new techniques, to the Korte Ranch in St. Helena, a vineyard whose diligence outlasted the Prohibition and has sustained four generations.