94 Points - Chris Sawyer "Sommelier to the Stars"
Beyond being full-bodied and balanced, there is also a playful side to this wine guided by the fresh acidity and natural vitality of pure mountain goodness. Soft, smooth and sophisticated. Authenticity is every sip.
To explore the unique characteristic of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown above the valley floor, this magnificent artisan-style blend is a crafted with high-quality fruit from two separate hillside vineyards. The first is in the high-elevation Mount Veeder appellation on the Mayacamas Range west of Napa, where the dense wooded area around the site help contribute hints of earth and spice to the wine. The other is grown in the slightly warmer conditions further north on Howell Mountain, where the more rugged and rocky soils on the Vaca Range add more concentrated flavors, a touch of minerality, and firm structure to the blend. A bohemian partnership above the valley!
Food Pairings: Earthy cheeses, charcuterie, wild mushroom risotto, roasted pork with fresh herbs, prime rib, osso buco, and rich stews.
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (50%) and Mt. Veeder (50%)
Alcohol: 14.8% by volume
Aging: 24 months on American oak
94 Points
Decadent, rich, and supple. Aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, crushed stone, dried herbs, and cedar lead into layered notes of cassis, fennel, baked plums, mocha powder, and cigars dusted with roasted Herbs de Provence, earth and red volcanic mineral notes. Full-bodied and rich, with a firm spine of racy acidity and ultra-fine, gravelly tannins that carry the lasting, mouthwatering finish.
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
94 Points
A full-throttle, blackberry-driven red, laden with chalky minerality and layered with robust tannins. Violet scents mingle with fig and plum fruit in a medium- to full-bodied expression that hits all the right chords, delivering a pleasing one-two punch to the senses.
