This week’s heist features an interesting Cabernet from Napa’s Spring Mountain Vineyards. While we are often pushing mountain Cabernet for its elegance here at WineHeist, here is our chance to show that for every rule, there is an exception. While many of the mountains surrounding Napa Valley (and throughout California) are known for lighter, more European-style wines, Spring Mountain is actually known for producing intense, rich wines. Whether this is due to the soil, the climate, or a combination of the two we don’t know, but the result is ripe, intense Cabernet that still possesses the balance, if not the finesse, of its mountain heritage.
Spring Mountain’s 2005 Estate Cabernet is sourced from a variety of vineyard blocks on Spring Mountain, allowing the winemaker to select the perfect blend. Dark red, nearly purple color in the glass foreshadows the big, dark, ripe flavors to follow. Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and dark chocolate spring from the glass, with undercurrents of leather and cedar. The palate echoes the black cherry, with notes of violets and a finish that coats the mouth like rich chocolate truffle. A dose of mountain acidity keeps these ripe, rich flavors balanced, evoking a hint of sweet red fruit to lighten the mood. Wonderfully smooth and silky, this has Napa Cabernet written all over it.
We are excited to have found another excellent Napa Cabernet that we can offer at a significant discount and bring to you at just over $40. This Spring Mountain Cab is sure to be a hit at any dinner party, and is the perfect choice when you want a wine sure to make an impression. Serve it on its own, or with full flavored meat. Stunning wine, from a stunning property!
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90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
94 Points
Juice explodes right out of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
