The influential Bordeaux wine merchant house (known as a négociant) Ets. Jean-Pierre Moueix owns a large number of highly regarded estates on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, including the famous Château Pétrus and Château Bélair-Monange. Ets. JP Moueix has a track record for revitalising wine estates, with wine critics lauding marked improvement to the quality of wines from estates such as Bélair-Monange ever since they have been taken over by the major négociant.

Its influence also extends beyond Bordeaux to the Napa Valley in California where it owns several highly-regarded wine estates such as Dominus Estate and Ulysses Vineyard, both of which produce Bordeaux-style wine blends that emphasise the unique characteristics of Napa Valley's terroir and climate.

Nestled in the heart of Oakville, Napa Valley, Ulysses Vineyard is a more recent acquisition by Moueix, having once been part of the original Charles Hopper Ranch with grapevines planted since the 1950s. The estate spans approximately 100 acres, with around 37 acres dedicated to vines, lying at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains.

The vineyard benefits from a range of soil types, primarily deep, gravelly, clay loam that is ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon. The climate, characterized by cool mornings and warm afternoons, is ideal for grape growing, allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon, along with small plantings of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, to flourish. Its flagship wine is the Ulysses which is presented as a "distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot." It is renowned for its depth, structure, and elegance.

The estate employs dry farming and sustainable practices, prioritizing low yields and hand-harvesting to ensure the highest quality fruit. In the cellar, Moueix adopts a philosophy of minimal intervention, allowing the natural characteristics of the vineyard to shine. The wines are then aged in a combination of new and used French oak barrels.

It’s evening in Singapore, and I’m seated at a tasting led by none other than Alice Rey, the Southeast Asia Area Manager for the Moueix Family wine business.

Rey is a charming host, her passion for wine is infectious as she gives us a whirlwind tour of the massive portfolio of Moueix, name-dropping legendary estates like Pétrus and Dominus with the casual air of someone discussing their family's holiday home to a room of enthusiasts, abuzz with anticipation. She then led us through a tasting of 4 lovely wines from Bélair-Monange (which we have reviewed here) and the Ulysses 2017. Let’s give this a taste!

Ulysses 2017, Christian Moueix, Oakville Napa Valley – Review

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, 18 Months French oak barrels.

Venturing from the refined estates of Bordeaux to the sun-drenched vineyards of Napa Valley, we have a bonus tasting of a bottle of Ulysses 2017. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend that showcases the distinctive character and power that California has to offer.

Let’s see how this holds up.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Sweet, jammy aromas fill the glass, reminiscent of blackberry jam spread on warm toast, along with a scent of cacao nibs and toasty oak adding some depth and darkness.

Palate: Coats the palate with a luxurious, full-bodied, velvety texture. A wave of ripe black and red fruits floods the senses, their sweetness balanced by the gradual emergence of soft tannins. Lending structure and a subtle spiciness are some earthiness and aromatic oak, reminiscent of my grandpa's well-loved cigar box. There’s also a whisper of smoky heather.

Finish: Remarkably long and satisfying, leaving a trail of smooth tannins and warmth on the back of the throat. The lingering notes of sweet oak and warm cocoa powder intertwine with a touch of minerality, reminiscent of sweet Pacific oysters.

My Thoughts

While the Bélair-Monange wines entice with their elegance and complexity, the Ulysses is a wine that wears its heart on its sleeve. It's bold, straightforward, and undeniably enjoyable, offering a generous outpouring of fruit flavours that are beautifully integrated with the oak and spice notes. It has a lovely dense and fine-grained texture with approachable tannins makes it a real pleasure to drink. This is a really high quality yet unpretentious wine that doesn't demand contemplation; it simply invites you to revel in its richness and warmth.

@CharsiuCharlie