Today we take a brief break from our annual Wine Intrigue Awards, to bring you a very rare treat. We first featured this wine in 2012. Our Operatives loved it so much that we showcased it again in 2013. Then, the winery said that we could have no more… Until today!

Credit the awesome winemaking superpowers of Philippe Melka. Mister Melka makes wine for Napa Valley’s most elite cult wineries, including Cliff Lede, Roy Estate, Hundred Acre, Quintessa, Dalla Valle, Bryant Family Vineyards and others. Melka began his career at Chateau Haut Brion and later Chateau Petrus before gracing the Napa Valley with his extraordinary talents.

During his storied career, mister Melka has received many 100-point scores and has been named by Robert Parker as_one of the top nine wine consultants in the world._.

This wine is ultra dark and very opaque. Inky purple hues at the core reach right out to a very fine ring of garnet at the edge of the glass. After decanting - or some hearty swirling - this wine springs to life with blackberry and spiced cherry that leap from the glass. These are followed by tobacco leaf, dark leather, spice, black pepper, and the most subtle hint of eucalyptus. This wine presents a lot of front-palate flavors, leading with blackberry, cassis, plum, dried cherry, and soft leather. As the wine settles onto the palate, it reveals spice, leather, and flint at the edges.

This is an incredible 2001 with a ton of life still left in it. This wine could easily go for another decade or more. Enjoy this perfectly aged Cabernet Sauvignon all on its own or with a wide range of tasty accompaniments.

Very Highly Recommended.

Today’s 92-Point (Rober Parker, Jr.) 2001 Ardente Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon is the Aged Cabernet Sauvignon lover’s dream. Just a little bit shy, at first, this wine really opens up to reveal aromas of leather, tobacco, spice, and dark fruit. On the palate, the wine is elegant, supple and soft.