Tasting Notes

The 2014 Maestro Collection Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon is a high elevation wine with deep, concentrated color and vibrant aromas of blackberry, briar patch, wild sage and intriguing smoked meat notes. The central beam of juicy fruit on the palate is focused while additional layers of bay leaf, graphite, bramble and spice flavors support the full-bodied, richly textured wine. The wine is well-balanced with firm, round tannins and bright acidity on a lengthy finish.

Vineyard Note

Atlas Peak is one of the most prominent peaks in the Napa Valley. At an elevation of 2,663 feet, the vineyards along the western slopes of the Vaca Range are steep, rugged and difficult to farm but the incredible fruit quality and flavor development reward the effort. Although the area grows many Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon excels in this high elevation environment. The grapes for this wine come from Haystack Vineyard.

Winemaking Note

To develop this wine’s complex fruit expression, we first cold soaked the destemmed grapes for gentle flavor extraction. During fermentation, regular pumpovers incorporate the flavor-rich skins into the juice. Malolactic fermentation, which naturally changes the malic acid into softer lactic acid, rounds the flavors. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is barrel aged exclusively in French oak (60% new) for 22 months.

Vintage Note

Napa Valley experienced an excellent 2014 growing season - from spring bud break through flowering and veraison - conditions were ideal. Vintage 2014 will be noted as one of the earliest harvests on record and also remembered throughout the valley for the 6.0 earthquake that struck in August.