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
91 Points
Aromas of raspberry croissant, red currants, cocoa powder and layers of graphite. The palate showcases fine, firm tannins alongside chocolate cherry lollipop, red plums, dried goji berries and toasted brioche. Supple in texture and shows attractive depth on the finish.
91 Points
Layers of strawberry, baked cherry pie, anise, cherry lollipop, wild game, and spicebox. On the palate, black cherry jam couples with crème de cassis, mixed berry crisp, rhubarb, and a touch of vanilla.
92 Points
Blackberry pie, dried Mission figs, baking spices, blackberry coulis and a hint of cigar box on the nose. The palate offers smooth and velvety tannins, chocolate-covered cherries, red currants, huckleberry pie, toasted walnuts, vanilla and hibiscus. A classic example of a perfectly balanced valley floor Cabernet with excellent fruit concentration.
98 Points, Best of Class
Super-Tuscan style blend offering aromas of ripe berries and black fruits, interwoven with hints of vanilla, caramel, raw tobacco, leather, clove, blood orange peel, and roasted walnuts. Rich and generous flavors of briary blackberry, dark cherry, ripe plum and cassis.
90 Points
Polished with a very modern feel - think rich, concentrated, intense, deep and very long, with tons of sexy black fruit, and just the right touch of French oak. This stuff ROCKS for the price!
95 Points
Aromas of wild berry, ripe fig underpinned with hints of licorice, dark chocolate, savory spice, and cigar box. The palate is robust, youthful and bursting with natural energy. Flavors continue to expand vibrant dark cherry, blackberry, fresh currant, ripe plum, with hints of cassis, sage, mocha, cinnamon, and fine French oak.
Big & Jammy!
Picked from old vines in Chiles Valley. Deep Blackberry, plum, smoky blueberry, roasted fig, dried dark flowers, cigar box, spice, black pepper, hints of vanilla, nicely integrated oak. WOW!
92 Points
Aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry, interlace with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. On the palate ripe and juicy flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry are perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of American oak.
94 Points
Violet black in color with aromas of rich fruity dark berries, honeycomb, vanilla, and hints of forest floor join together with bold flavors of black cherry, and spiced nut. Balanced oak, layered palette, leaving you with a enjoyable persistent finish.
Modern, Sexy & Full
Aromas of wild blackberries and blueberries interwoven with enchanting notes of fresh mint, lavender, roasted walnut, savory spices, and a captivating hint of dark chocolate drizzled with fine balsamic. Notes of plum, blueberry and cassis with hints of wild sage, licorice, black pepper, and an elegant touch of fine-grained oak.
91 Points
Aromas and flavors of watermelon, white nectarine, green melon, blanched almonds, white tea, and just a smooch of dried herbs that hit the back palate. Graceful and vivacious and will be enjoyed this year through next.
95 Points
Golden lemon core with a silvery rim, it's full-bodied, plush on the tongue, and delivers phenomenal purity of fruit on the front and mid-palate. Notes of baked lemon pie, Bartlett pear, lemony herbs, and crushed wet rock are everpresent, with balanced acidity and a dried thyme aspect hitting the lengthy finish.
