We have always considered Atlas Peak Cabernet one of our favorite value Cabernet Sauvignon wines. It delivered a consistent, reasonably priced example of Napa mountain Cabernet. That usually means some blue fruit in a berry dominated core, and one that comes with the freshness, acid edge and vibrant profile high altitude Cabernet can bring.
Now the Atlas Peak label is part of Quintessential Wines’ portfolio, having changed hands last year. Bob Pepi is making the wines now, and these are the first releases under the new regime. Bob himself has been making Napa based wines a long time, and few know this area as well as he does. We interviewed Bob, and Quintessential owner Steve Kreps, a few months ago. You can read about that here. The Atlas Peak wines were not yet available back then, and we did not taste them at that time. That is too bad, as I would have liked to get Bob’s feedback on what he is going for, but I think it is actually pretty evident in the wines we’ll review here. Next time I get a chance to talk to Bob I’ll ask him specifically.
I think what’s most important for everyone to know is just how good these wines are. Without further ado:
Wine: 2018 Atlas Peak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery Location: Napa Valley, CA
Tasted By: Neil & Cheri Date: July 2021
Tasting Notes: The wine is dark ruby in color, with a rich nose of currant, blackberry, caramel, vanilla, leather, some herbs and a bit of wood. Needless to say it is quite complex. On the palate it is full bodied, rich and long. The fruit never wavers and pushes firmly through the mid-palate and into the long finish. There is a touch of orange peel at the very end. Tannins are medium and this wine is super smooth. It will age for some time, but it is very ready to drink right now. This carries the Napa Valley AVA designation, so grapes can come from anywhere in the valley. It was aged for 20 months in French oak.
Price Point – SRP $49.99
Would We Buy It? – absolutely. This is a classic valley floor Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s rich, complex, smooth and beautifully made. Really well done.
And now the Atlas Peak AVA wine:
Wine: 2018 Atlas Peak AVA Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery Location: Grapes from Atlas Peak AVA
Tasted By: Neil & Cheri Date: July 2021
Tasting Notes: this juice is a dark purple red, with long legs that cascade down the glass. The nose is rich, bringing blackberry, blueberry, caramel, herbs and a little briar. It really just smells like a mountain wine. On the palate it is full bodied, with berry fruit front and center. Great acid hits you pretty quickly, and the wine has a vibrant energy to it. It is edgy. The fruit and caramel carry through to the mid-palate, which then leads to a long, long finish. Medium+ tannins provide plenty of grip. This is just a baby, and will age effortlessly for at least a decade. It is a great wine. Bob Pepi and Quintessential Wines just raised the bar on Atlas Peak. Carrying the Atlas Peak AVA designation, this is made with Atlas Peak fruit. It is aged for 30 months in French oak.
Price Point – SRP $79.99
Would We Buy It? – we would. This is a superior, beautifully made wine that compares to wines at any price. It is exceptional.
So what do we know? We know we like mountain wines. We know we like Napa Valley Cabernet. We know Bob Pepi is a master of his craft and knows Napa Valley. We also now know that the new Atlas Peak wines are pretty special. All is right with the world, at least this small corner of it.
A votre santé!
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