10/14/2026
Grapes are in!
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from on top of the Vaca mountains at Atlas Peak.
Also I have a Cab with the source from Sonoma Chalk Hill.
These are two of the very best regions our country has to offer. My job is: let the yeast do their job and stay out of the way! 😉
Cabernet Sauvignon w**es grown in the Atlas Peak AVA are distinct, high-altitude mountain w**es known for their intense structure, deep concentration, and rugged elegance. Sitting in the Vaca Mountain range on the eastern side of Napa Valley, the unique terroir here dramatically shapes the w**e in the following ways:
Taste & Flavor Profile
• Dark Mountain Fruit: You will find highly concentrated, rich flavors dominated by blackberry compote, black cherry, cassis, and black raspberry.
• Savoiriness & Herbal Layers: Reflecting its high-elevation forest surroundings, these Cabernets typically display an "evergreen" or woodsy aromatic profile featuring cedar, sage, mint, wild brush, briar, and bay leaf.
• Volcanic Minerality: Due to the rocky terrain, the w**es frequently exhibit distinctive non-fruit notes like dusty gravel, slate, graphite, and crushed rock.
• Rich Undertones: Subtle notes of dark chocolate, licorice, black pepper, and cocoa powder are common, especially when aged in French oak.
Structure & Mouthfeel
• Big, Chalky Tannins: Because mountain-grown grapes develop thicker skins to protect themselves from intense sun, the w**es have massive, muscular, and "chewy" structural tannins.
• Vibrant Acidity: Most vineyards sit between 1,400 and 2,600 feet, safely perched above the valley's heavy fog line. Constant daytime sun is met with cool mountain nights, resulting in a 30°F to 40°F temperature swing. This wide diurnal shift allows the grapes to retain a brilliant, energetic natural acidity that balances the heavy fruit.
• Weighty & Fleshy Body: These are full-bodied w**es with a dense, persistent mouthfeel and a notably long finish.