2011 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2011 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is quite possibly the finest wine crafted since the inaugural release five years ago. A vintage marked by the challenges of heavy rains in early October, testing all resolve, we focused our attention on every minute decision and detail. Patience in what has been our latest harvest to date was rewarded by favorable conditions, and the opportunity to craft a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon from the top of Spring Mountain.
| Release Date: | October 2014 |
| Acclaim: |
94 pts—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Oct. ‘18) 92 pts—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Oct. ‘13) 92 pts—Vinous Media (Dec. ‘13) |
2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon explodes as one of the most aromatically expressive, and all around complete wines we have crafted to date. A true mix of power and elegance, highlighting a sense of place, true to its name and appellation.
| Release Date: | October 2015 |
| Acclaim: |
97 pts—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Oct. ‘18) (92–94 pts)—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Oct. ‘14) |
2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon marks the 7th vintage crafting this single vineyard proprietary wine from the Steffens’ family property on Spring Mountain. This wine shows a deep, dark opague core, with a classic Bordeaux-like ruby rim. On the nose, the wine expresses dark cocoa, anise, fresh tobacco and black pepper. Bright acidity leads the palate to a well integrated, seamless texure, marked by savory influences of game, smoked meat, with subtle fruit and mineral undertones. A blend completed my Winemaker Martha McClellan and Wesley Steffens, this wine shows incredibly well with a quick decant, and will reward patience with time in the cellar.
| Release Date: | October 2016 |
| Acclaim: |
96 pts—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Oct. ‘18) 92 pts—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Dec. ‘16) |
2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon marks the first vintage welcoming my long time mentor Martha McClellan to our team as Winemaker. Our goal and focus upon her arrival was focused on preserving a freshness and aromatics, bringing increased length and texture to the wines, all while maintaining the tension and integrity that comes with Cabernet crafted on Spring Mountain. About a third of this wine was fermented whole berry in new French oak barrels, a process that brought incredible complexity to our wines. Martha and I are very proud of our inaugural vintage together, and know you will be too. A deep purple core leads to a nose with elements of violets and spice. On the palate black and red fruit notes linger in a sweet and savory balance long after the first sip.
| Release Date: | October 2017 |
| Acclaim: |
95 pts—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Oct. ‘18) 95 pts—Wine Spectator (Oct. ‘17) 93+ pts—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Oct. ‘17) |
2015 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2015 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon expresses all that we love and appreciate in premium mountain grown wines. Showing a purity and freshness of fruit, complemented with a beautiful tension, a rich and creamy texture, ending with a long seamless finish. Like the 2014, nearly forty percent of the wine that comprises this blend was fermented whole berry in new French Oak barrels. We continue to see the increased and focused aromatics, rich texture, and harmonious tannin integration. This wine will show beautiful upon release, yet continue to show its beauty for many years to come.
| Release Date: | Fall 2018 |
| Acclaim: |
97+ pts—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Oct. ‘18) (94–96 pts)—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Oct. ‘17) |
2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon marks my third vintage in this portfolio of beautiful wines, and likely one of our proudest efforts to date. As it often takes a few years to truly learn a vineyard, Wes and I took the opportunity the perfect growing conditions in 2016 offered and craft a beautiful expression of pure Cabernet Sauvignon from the family estate. The wine shows a more savory focus, with notes of Chinese five spice, bittersweet chocolate ganache, white pepper and candied currants. Having barrel fermented nearly 30% of the fruit for this wine, the mid-palate and body are seamless and finely polished, maintaining the acid and tannin tension one would hope for and expect from a mountain estate. This wine will show beautiful upon release with time in the decanter, and will age gracefully for many years to come!
| Release Date: | Fall 2019 |
| Acclaim: |
(94–97 pts)—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Oct. ‘18) (92–95 pts)—Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media (Dec. ‘18) |
2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 was a vintage that started with textbook growing conditions, ideal summer weather leading into the fall harvest season poised to be yet another blockbuster for the Napa Valley. The 2017 firestorm that devastated so many in Napa/Sonoma of course put a mark on the vintage suggesting quality was not going to be what consumer have come to expect. Challenge accepted, it was up to us as winemakers to dig deep, allow experience to take over, and stay committed to making the very best wine we would be proud to share with friends. The 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has developed into a beautiful wine, showing vibrant blackberry, currant, cassis and espresso, Great tension, and a beautiful finish. Truly believe it’s vintages that challenge us that often lead to crafting wines that go down of some of our very best.
| Release Date: | Fall 2020 |
| Acclaim: |
(92–94+)—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Oct. ‘19) |
2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is ready to be enjoyed right from the start, with a wealth of complex aromatics sure to please Cabernet aficionados. Nuances of black currant, black cherry, menthol, white pepper, cherry liqueur and raw tobacco on the nose. The wine is bright, exuding both power and restraint. On the palate the wine does not disappoint, showing black pepper, black cherry and boysenberry, fresh ground dark roast coffee, and our signature savory notes. The tannins are powerful, yet well‐integrated, finishing very long. This is quite possibly our finest wine to date. A nuanced and seductive wine that will show very well with a quick decant upon release, and will age beautifully for 15‐20+ years.
| Release Date: | Fall 2021 |
| Acclaim: |
(95–97+)—Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Mar. ‘21) |
2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon follows the incredible 2018, and shows that two truly remarkable vintages can come from back-to-back years. Starting with a very dark ruby red core, the nose explodes with red cherry compote, sweet black licorice, red currant, violet, white pepper and well integrated notes of oak. On the palate the wine shows a very dense core of focused red fruits, black pepper, five spice, crushed espresso bean, all while presenting a vibrant fresh lift, structured tension, and a finish that continues well after the last taste. This is a wine that will show very well with a quick decant upon release, and continue to tell further stories for a solid 20+ years to come. We can’t wait to share this amazing with with you!
| Release Date: | Fall 2022 |
| Acclaim: |
(95–97)—Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media (Jan. ‘22) |
