2012 Spring Mountain, "Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Good things come to those who wait.  After 7 long years of extremely limited distribution, one of my favorite - if not absolute favorite - California Cabernets has returned to the market! 

Spring Mountain Vineyard's Estate Cabernet Sauvignon brings back nirvana-like memories of warm onion bread, chilled sweet butter topped with sea salt and glass of this superb Napa Valley red.  Add a porter-house steak and creamed spinach and I couldn't image being anywhere else! 

That's right, it wasn't Caymus, Silver Oak, Paul Hobbs or even Peter Michael I would look for on the wine list, though they are all good second choices!  What I craved was Spring Mountain's cedar notes, tobacco leaf, cassis and leather, all of which integrated with the wine's chewy tannins.  Unbelievable!  The wine was (and today is) a delicious meal by itself. 

There are a handful of wineries in the Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley, however, there is only one Spring Mountain Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  Morning fogs and mist keep the fruit cool until the warm afternoon sun emerges.  This micro-climate extends the ripening period and produces vibrant fruit with palpable, sweet tannins and wonderful complexity. 

It is rare to find any of the stunning 2012 Cabernets still around.  Wonderfully structured, this wine will evolve for another ten years, "but so gorgeous already." James Suckling