The 2019 Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is a distinguished red wine that has garnered high praise from various professional reviewers. This wine, primarily composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with small additions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, is known for its robust structure and elegant profile.
Antonio Galloni from Vinous awards it a score of 95, describing the wine as a "very pretty Oakville Cabernet." Galloni notes the "bright acids and lifted aromatics" that meld into a core of dark red-fleshed fruit with exotic overtones. He highlights the wine's "linear intensity" and persistence, attributing its unique characteristics to the heavy rains in spring and two heat spikes in late summer. Galloni also mentions that the vineyard was entirely replanted in 2008, which might have influenced the wine's development.
Wine Spectator's JM gives the 2019 Ulysses a score of 93, noting its "rich, slow-moving style" with flavors of cassis, plum reduction, and Black Forest cake. JM points out the presence of licorice root and espresso crema, adding that the finish delivers "heavy glossy toast notes" that should integrate well with time. The reviewer suggests that the wine will benefit from cellaring and recommends enjoying it from 2024 through 2038.
Jeb Dunnuck provides an excellent review with a score of 97, praising the wine's "incredible aromatics" of red and black currants, spring flowers, graphite, camphor, and cedar. Dunnuck describes the palate as "incredibly polished and elegant," with medium to full body, "gorgeous tannins," and a "great finish." He commends the wine for matching "ample richness and depth with a terrific sense of finesse," recommending that it be enjoyed over the next two decades.
Overall, the 2019 Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of significant acclaim, noted for its aromatic complexity, structured palate, and potential for aging. It stands out as a noteworthy choice for both current enjoyment and future cellaring.