91 Points - Wine Spectator
Our love of mountain Cabernet here at WineHeist is well documented; there is just something about Cabernet grown at higher elevations in Napa that takes the wines to another level. For this week's offer we traveled to Napa's highest, and perhaps most remote appellation, Atlas Peak. On the eastern side of the valley, this area begins at 760 feet in elevation, and extends all the way to the peak at 2,663 feet. Cobblestone Estate is an interesting project in that it is actually made up of three very distinct, small sites, each dedicated to a specific variety (even going as far away as New Zealand for Pinot Noir!). While we haven’t gotten to try the Chardonnay from the Central Coast, nor the Pinot from New Zealand, we can say with certainty that Cobblestone has selected a wonderful site on Atlas Peak for their Cabernet. And as the wine recently received 91 points from Wine Spectator, we are clearly not alone on this one.
The 2006 Cobblestone Reserve Cabernet is deep garnet in color, with a nose featuring classic Cabernet aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and kirsch accompanied by notes of raspberry jam, violets, and cocoa. The palate is juicy and dark, with berry flavors dominating but joined by tobacco, plum, white pepper, and dark chocolate. The finish brings an interesting meaty flavor into the mix, with firm tannin just starting to resolve as this wine enters its prime drinking window. With 60% new oak and 3% Cabernet Franc in the mix, this complex wine delivers on multiple levels, and easily justifies its $70 price tag. Of course, when you go through WineHeist, you can save an incredible $20 and stock up on this cellar worthy Cab for under $50 a bottle.
Vintage: 2006
Wine Type: Bold Red Wine
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Varietal Composition: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Atlas Peak, Napa Valley
Barrel Aging: 26 months, 100% French oak, 60% new oak
Production: 300 cases
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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.
