Acumen PEAK 2021 Cabernet Franc

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

It’s always exciting to see a winery launch a new wine and for Acumen, this is their first ever Cabernet Franc. True, they have grown and used Franc for years, just not as its own bottling. This offers tight, dusty tannins supported by a mélange of dark red and black berry fruits. There is an earthy core with light black tea leaves, cigar notes and pomegranate. The oak program is evident (60% new French oak was used) but not overwhelming. Comprised mainly of Cabernet Franc, there are small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot added in to finesse this already lovely wine.

2011 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, USA, California, Napa,

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$195.00USD

One of the few less than good vintages in Napa, yet, this wine rocks.  Purple  in color, opaque and bright.  The  nose has cassis, blueberries, gravel and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, with slight blueberries and a bit of earthiness.  Good finish.  This has some depth and complexity.  Drinking well now on its own, this will work well with a steak or burger.  Drink over the next five to ten years.  

2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Grade: 
Current Price: 
$395.00USD

My second time in the last month or so drinking this and I am not complaining.  I had a small taste at a wine dinner featuring many other bottles and then a small glass on the next day.  Fantastic wine.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, pencil lead, cedar, smoke and leather.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Flavors of cassis, graphite dry earthiness, char and leather.  Long finish.  Delicious.  I won't give this a 100 score as I just didn't pay enough attention to it, but was fantastic.  

2010 Joseph Phelps Insignia, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

One of the great classic Napa cabernets.  It is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Petit Verdot and some Merlot and Malbec.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, graphite, slight cedar, dark chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Great texture.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Complex and layered.  Cassis, earthiness, spices, minerality and chocolate.  Long finish.  This is still young but getting close to peak.  That said, it should go another twenty years.  Great on its own, this would work with Roasted meats, poultry and vegetables. 

2010 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, St. Helena, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

Very nice showing for this wine.  It is in a great place right now.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, coffee, cedar and graphite.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice texture.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Mature but plenty of time left.  Complex and deep.  Flavors of cassis, cocoa, spice and nice minerality.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next ten years or so.  Besides the usual spices, this would work well with bacon wrapped steaks. 

2018 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot made with Estate grown fruit.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, clay, slight plums, spice and slight chocolate.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Complex and deep.  It could use some time to develop.  It will improve with some cellaring but should drink well for ten to fifteen more years.  This would go nicely with Grilled Stuffed Portobellos.  

2012 Au Sommet Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Atlas Peak, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$31.00USD

This is Heidi Barrett's winery.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cedar, chocolate and char.  Full bodied.  Ripe, lush texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cassis, chocolate and char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well and should for at least another ten years.  This would actually work well with smoke/spicy Tofu for those looking for vegetarian ideas.  

2017 Mount Veeder Winery Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$115.00USD

Inky purple in color, shimmering bright.  The nose is big with cassis, dust and spice.  Great texture.  Very tannic.  On the palate, flavors of cassis, chocolate, graphite and char.  Long finish.  This is open and delicious.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Classic Cabernet pairings would work well but also maybe a Mushroom Risotto.  

2013 Notre Vin Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a wine from the late Dennis Malbec.    Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, chocolate, cedar and spice.  Great texture.  Firm tannins.  Flavors of cassis with some graphite and char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should have another ten years at least.  Great drinking on its own, this would work well with Roasted Eggplant dishes (and of course, beef).  

2019 Robert Keenan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

Most of the fruit for this is estate fruit from Spring Mountain.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, iron, iodine and spice.  Softer texture than expected.  Flavors of cassis, cedar and chocolate.  Some heat on the finish.  Overall a nice Cab but it needs a bit more time to come together.  Hold for a few years and drink for ten to fifteen after that.  A nice wine to pair with Braised Lamb Shanks.

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