98 Point Vintage - Wine Spectator Magazine’s editor in chief, James Laube
The 2010 Young Ridge Premium Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is revealing all of the beautiful notes that only come from a perfectly aged Napa Cab. Rich leather, dark chocolate, mahogany, cherry compote, and allspice. Flavors are equally rich and nuanced with violets, tobacco, sandalwood, hints of smoke and cherry. A rich nutty flavor has emerged from the aging process. After aging gracefully for nearly 10 years, the tannins glide over your palate leaving you thoroughly satisfied with an exceptionally smooth mouthfeel.
The Vineyards (owned by Leroy & Patty Young) The Young Ridge Estate Vineyard is surrounded by two vineyard blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon. These blocks sit high on the ridge to the west of the town of Napa adjoining to Brown's Valley. This area on the edge of the Carneros district is characterized by a long, moderately cool growing season sweetened by the breezes and lingering fog of the San Pablo Bay. This provides optimum conditions for the slow, even ripening of and perfect balance in Cabernet Sauvignon.
Winemaker Julianna Beckmann Gosling started her winemaking career as an intern at Robert Mondavi Winery, and after graduating from the University of California at Davis, she worked at both Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards. Today Julianna oversees all aspects of the winemaking process, shepherding the wines through from vineyard to bottle.
"WARM DAYS, COLD NIGHTS, AND ROCKY, WELL DRAINED SOILS ARE AN IDEAL COMBINATION FOR THIS WORLD CLASS CABERNET SAUVIGNON." ~ Juliana Beckman Gosling
VINTAGE: 2010
APPELLATION: Napa Valley
VARIETAL: 86% Cabernet, 5% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cab Franc
ABV: 15.22%
PH: 3.72
TA: 0.68
AGING: Aged 24 months 100% French Oak (40% new)
WINEMAKER: Julianna Beckmann Gosling
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
91 Points
Shimmering ruby-purple hue. The nose is a walk through a damp Sonoma forest—mossy bark and wild earth—brightened by high-toned notes of cranberry sauce and blood orange. On the palate, it's generously long in the mouth, with good concentration. It's a masterclass in tension: intense, cherry and red current fruit meets dark spice and fine, sandy tannins.
96 Point Vintage
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
92 Points
A powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, it's enticing and fragrant, bursting with fresh blueberries, blackberry tart, cedar, black olives, and hints of spicebox. Its palate provides big, round chewy tannins, sweet ripe black cherries, blackberry cordial, Bourbon-soaked maraschino cherries, maple roasted walnuts, and a touch of vanilla.
