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
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.
