Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles, California

Cabernet Sauvignon is the longtime flagship wine of Ancient Peaks, helping drive the emergence of Paso Robles as a world-class region for this classic Bordeaux variety. At our estate Margarita Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon achieves both ripeness and balance amid one of the region’s coolest, longest growing seasons, all while drawing natural complexity from the vineyard’s uniquely complex soils. This wine comes from four distinct Cabernet Sauvignon blocks at Margarita Vineyard. Winemaking: After gentle destemming, the must was cold soaked for 48 hours prior to fermentation for a gentle extraction of color and flavor. After fermentation, the wine was racked to a combination of French and American oak barrels, where it aged for 18 months prior to blending and bottling. An inclusion of Merlot from Margarita Vineyard contributed dark berry dimension and mid-palate weight, while a dash of Cabernet Franc brought aromatic lift. Finally, a dash of Petite Sirah was included in the final blend for enhanced color and structure. Tasting notes: The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with expressive aromas of plum, boysenberry, red currant, black olive, caramel, and toasted oak. Broad, chewy textures deliver layered impressions of blueberry, cherry, cassis, and violet with undercurrents of graphite, sage, eucalyptus and vanilla bean. Fresh acidity and fine tannins carry into a long, expansive finish. A wonderfully integrated and complex Cabernet Sauvignon.