Atalon Winery
2005 Corestone Ridge Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
California: Napa Valley
Mission Briefing
Purple Passion
Today’s Atalon Winery 2005 Corestone Ridge Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is really, truly, incredibly excellent. This 92 point (Parker) Cab is a steal of a deal at 38% off.
This aged-to-perfection wine was made by Tom Peffer, who has held winemaking posts at some of California’s most recognizable, most prestigious wineries, including Acacia Vineyard, Opus One, Plumpjack Winery, Beaulieu Vineyard and Freemark Abbey - to name a few.
His long career has seen him win bin-loads of awards. For good reason too, his wines are really fabulous.
Dark mixed fruits are the first to bless your nose, with stewed cherry, blackberry preserve, red currant and strawberry jam. These are balanced by notes of spice, sweet tobacco, dried herbs, baker’s chocolate, and subtle twigs.
Bold, layered flavors flow onto the palate, with lush, dark blackberry preserve, black cherry juice, black currant and plum. These are tempered beautifully by chocolate covered black cherry, cigar box, soft spice, subtle savory herbs and a very subtle hint of black pepper.
We’re proud to offer you this wine with our boldest recommendation.
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Here’s what the wine press has to say:
92 points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate - “A very small cuvée of 300 cases, sourced 100% from Stagecoach Vineyard on Atlas Peak, this fully mature, opulent, velvety textured wine from winemaker Thomas Peffer has an opaque purple color and a beautiful nose of blueberry and blackcurrant fruit along with floral notes of forest floor and spice. It is relatively round, generous and seductive, and best drunk over the next 6-7 years.”
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Stephen Tanzer’s IWC - May/June 2009: “Good ruby-red. Enticing aromas of black raspberry, graphite, minerals and flowers. Sweet and moderately dense, with a juicy quality to the black raspberry flavor. Finishes with a bit of unabsorbed acidity.”
Tasting Profile
Look: | Inky dark garnet, from the opaque core of the wine, out to the garnet edge. Tall legs creep slowly down the glass wall after a good swirl. |
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Smell: | Stewed cherry, blackberry preserve, red currant, strawberry jam, spice, sweet tobacco, dried herbs, baker’s chocolate, and subtle twigs. |
Taste: | Blackberry preserve, black cherry juice, black currant, plum, chocolate covered black cherry, cigar box, soft spice, subtle savory herbs and a very subtle hint of black pepper. |
Finish: | This wine enters the palate riding on a wave of silk. Fruit flavors coat the entire palate. As they begin to fade, lush, earthy flavors take over as soft tannins gradually dry the corners of the palate. |
Pairing: | Enjoy this wine with a grilled prime rib with plenty of horseradish, a filet mignon, or just about any other savory meat dish. |
What the Winery Says
- Winemaker
- Tom Peffer
- Varietal
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vintage
- 2005
- Appellation
- Napa Valley
- Abv
- 13.9%
- Production
- 300 cases