2010 Dos Lagos Vineyards Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon

Dos Lagos Vineyards is a prime property in the hills of the Atlas Peak AVA, and the Cabernet Sauvignon produced there is the latest winemaking project from legendary winemaker Bob Foley. Foley worked under Joe Heitz at Heitz Cellars in the 1970s, then was lead winemaker for numerous other acclaimed Napa producers, including Switchback Ridge, Hourglass, Paloma and Schoolhouse. Foley was the founding winemaker at Pride Mountain. He is known as one of the region's very best crafters of Cabernet Sauvignon. For the very-limited production Dos Lagos Cabernet Sauvignon Foley sources grapes from the Dos Lagos Vineyard, which is owned by Marcie and Tom Dinkel. They previously sold grapes to Caymus. The grapes are grown at 1,650 feet in rocky, volcanic soil. Two small lakes on the property give the vineyard its name.

Atlas Peak AVA is perched above the Stags Leap AVA to the northeast of the city of Napa. Elevation ranges from 760 to 2,600 feet, and temperatures are up to 15 degrees cooler in the Atlas Peak vineyards compared with vineyards in the valley. There are 1,500 vineyard acres planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The appellation was named for Atlas Peak, which, at 2,633 feet above sea level, is the highest peak in the area.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.