Last month we welcomed Ardente back to our pages and the wine was a smash hit! Everyone loved that wine so much that we went back to Ardente to ask for another.

They granted us access to their archives, where we discovered today’s brilliant Ardente Estate 2009 Select Reserve Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine, which presents a whole lot of juicy, dark fruit, was made by Pierre Birebent, who has made wines for some of the best American wine houses, including Stags Leap Winery, Indian Creek Vineyard, Kuleto Estate, Costello Vineyard and, most recently, the much-admired Signorello Winery. He is one of the most accoladed winemakers we know.

The lush aromas that waft from the glass can be detected from feet away! Lush and perfumed aromas of black cherry, sandalwood, blackberry, cassis, black tea, briar patch, cherry cordial, spice, chocolate covered blueberry, grilled fig and a hint of cracked pepper.

Darkly juicy on the palate, with mixed fruit balanced against earthy complexity, showing flavors of black plum, grilled cherry, savory herbs, spice box, baker’s chocolate, blackberry reduction, graphite, dried fall leaf and a hint of cracked pepper.

The Atlas Peak AVA, located in in the Vaca Range just east of Napa Valley and south of Lake Berryessa is well known for its high elevation, well drained volcanic soil, long sunny days and cool nights which provide excellent conditions for bold and rich red varietals and specifically Cabernet Sauvignon.

This perfectly aged wine is drinking beautifully - and it still has plenty of life left in it. Enjoy now through 2021 - and beyond.

This wine is very very highly recommended.