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.

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.  

2018 Antica (Antinori) Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Select, USA, California, Napa, Atlas Peak, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$58.00USD

Antica is the Antinori property in Napa.  It is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.  Ruby in color with purple swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this was tight at first, but kept opening all night.  Cassis, black cherries and slight tobacco notes.

2019 Seven Apart Cabernet Sauvignon Expedition, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$189.00USD

This is a wine from star winemaker Andy Erikson and comes from vineyards on Atlas Peak and Soda Canyon.  First time trying this wine and it was excellent.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with cassis, chocolate, blueberries and cedar.  Lush texture.  Very tannic at this point.  On the palate, cassis, cedar and char.  Long finish that goes forever.  This is, of course, young, but already performing great.  Still, a few more years in the cellar and then drink for twenty to twenty five after that.  Better on its own right now but once it settles down, this would be

2011 Au Sommet Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Atlas Peak, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

I didn't remember until I got home that I had this once before.  Probably because the last bottle was good but it did not show this well.  Not quite sure why.  It might have been me, the circumstances, the food or just bottle variation.  This bottle was opened and allowed to breathe for an hour so perhaps that had something to do with it.  That's why we pop the corks though.  This bottle was outstanding.  It is a project of the famous winemaker Heidi Barrett.  In a vintage like 2011, this one managed to be clean, ripe and without any green streaks.  Very impressive.  Purple in color, ruby a

2011 Au Sommet Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Atlas Peak, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This is a blend of 97.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2.5% Petit Verdot from Heidi Barrett.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, slight smoke, bell pepper and tobacco.  On the palate, this is nice and everything is in proportion.  Not a lot of depth.  Tannins mostly resolved.  Worked well with vegetarian stuffed mushrooms.  A fine wine but its price tag on release was $250.  Granted 2011 was a difficult vintage, but that is a lot of money for this wine. 

2014 Lobo Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Wulff Vineyards, USA, California, Atlas Peak, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Not to be confused with the wine of the same name from the Valley floor in Oak Knoll, this is from Atlas Peak and is mountain fruit.  This is a step up in quality and price.  Inky purple in color.  Very concentrated.  The nose has cassis, dark chocolate graphite and char.  On the palate, this is tannic.  Concentrated cassis flavors.  Fine tannins.  It opens in the glass but could use some time/decanting.  Nice balance.  Good finish.  A polished wine that should improve for the next five years.  Will work on the dinner table or on its own.  $85 retail.  

2015 Luna Vineyards Canto, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is an excellent wine.  A blend of 50% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot with grapes from Atlas Peak and Howell Mountain in Napa Valley.  Consumed over two days, this was better on Day 2.  Purple in color.  On day one, the nose shows black cherries, slight cedar and a clove/bitters quality to it that is very interesting.  On the palate, this is not a big, bold wine.  Rather, there are plenty of concentrated fruits, mostly cherries and black cherries with a slight bitterness (again in a good way) to it.  On Day 2 (re-corked and left on the counter), this wine really open