2021 Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon

Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon is accumulating a well-deserved reputation for intensity and finesse. At 1,500 ft. elevation, the Baker vineyard is a series of different volcanic soil types carved out of heavy chaparral in Foss Valley with a southwestern exposure, featuring several clones and rootstalks selected for their suitability to the thin, rocky soil. Weather in 2021 gave us some spotty frost in March and April, and it was quite severe in some areas. Though we were spared brutal hot spells, we did get 50 days of 90 to 106 from June 16 to Oct 5, so it was a warm year. 2021 was again very short on rainfall and crop yields were short as well. Bloom was May 20, and veraison around August 6, and harvest was very early on September 20 at 25 Brix. After a 4-day cold soak, we used FX10 yeast, letting the fermentation cruise along at 92 degrees for 4 days for maximum color and complexity. As a wine of large proportions, the Atlas Peak Cabernet from Baker is not for everyone. It needs to settle down and evolve for a while in bottle to soften and broaden the structure a bit. But for the collector who wants to see their investment pay off, this wine is ready to age and grow for a long time. The 2021 Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon has an elegant nose with power and presence offering aromas of blackberry, sage, wild cherry and dark coffee. A big wine that opens with fine grained mountain tannin and dark brooding fruit, it smooths out in the center, revealing blackberry, black currant and melted dark chocolate on the palate.