Winemaker Notes
When Arkenstone made the decision to plant their vineyards, they were acutely aware that what attracted them to this magnificent property was the rugged beauty of the natural setting. It was clear to that they would lose that native beauty if they took down trees and cleared radically for vineyards. Because of their choice to limit vineyards to previously cleared areas, they have been slowly finding additional outstanding fruit sources off the estate to continue to build the Arkenstone family of wines. They wanted to keep making wines from the steep, eastern volcanic mountains in the Napa Valley because they love the profile of this fruit. The newest members of the Arkenstone family are the Arkenstone NVD Cabernet Sauvignon and NVD Sauvignon Blanc, created from this beautiful fruit. The meticulous oversight, both in the vineyards and in the winery by winemaker, Sam Kaplan, assures a solid note of consistency with Arkenstone Estate wines.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of several sites in Calistoga and Howell Mountain, Arkenstone's 2022 NVD Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as quite oaky but in a dark, earthy, camphor-like way, marrying that with plummy, ripe fruit. Full-bodied and ripe, it's already approachable, with lingering, soft tannins on the finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon NVD from Arkenstone spent 22 months in 75% new French oak and offers a beautiful bouquet of ripe currants, cassis, tobacco leaf, flowers, and subtle spice. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, and elegant, with ripe tannins, it’s structured yet already approachable and thoroughly enjoyable.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.