2017 CALCULATED RISK ATLAS PEAK CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Volcanic, minerally, compelling, and concentrated are all fitting descriptors of classic Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s an area that’s attracted some of the most talented wine families in the world to produce wine from it.  Icons William Hill, Marchese Piero Antinori, Michael Mondavi and Dr. Jan Krupp of Stagecoach Vineyard all recognized the area’s vast potential to produce world-class grapes.  The soils are iron rich, rock laden and full of volcanic compounds.  Veins of light ash help lower the ph in the soil and lend to the overall balance.  The appellation is also one of the coolest of all of the Mountain AVAs in Napa Valley, and the cooler temps support a longer growing season, firm acidity and more developed favors.  A great example of the area’s remarkable terroir can be found in a bottle of Calculated Risk Atlas Peak Cabernet. 

An elemental blend of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 is powerfully intense and offers a bounty of black mountain berries, wild plum, cocoa and slightly dusty tannins.  The winery is part of Grand Napa Vineyards, and they also produce the popular Heir Apparent wines, and if you follow Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate they may already be on your radar.