Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The estate’s 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon wraps around the palate with lovely depth in its expressive, resonant fruit, showing no hard edges and excellent balance. Espresso, mocha, plums, cloves and freshly cut flowers are all layered into the vibrant, delineated finish. The energy and tension of the 2011 are super-impressive. Antica did not bottle their flagship Townsend Cabernet, opting instead to use that fruit to strengthen their regular bottling. Based on the sample I tasted, that seems to have been a great decision. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. 91-93 points
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Just northeast of Napa city, Atlas Peak boasts some of Napa Valley’s highest elevation vineyards. Here the intense sunlight coupled with cool, nighttime temperatures produce grapes that are perfectly ripe, balanced and concentrated. The appellation is rich in volcanic soils and excels in the production of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.