2014 Antica Townsend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Antica Napa Valley may be one of Napa Valley’s newer wineries, but its roots go back to 14th century Tuscany, when Giovanni di Piero Antinori, who had worked in the silk trade, decided to join the winemakers’ guild and make wine. By the 16th century Antinoris were acquiring vineyards in Tuscany and Umbria and selling their wine throughout Europe. Today the business is run by Marchese Piero Antinori and his three daughters, and it is one of Italy’s largest and most successful wine producers known for such Super Tuscans as Tignanello and Solaia. Antica stands for “Antinori California” and it was founded in 1985 when the Antinoris first bought land on a high plain on the eastern edge of the Stag’s Leap District of Napa Valley. Since then the family has bought more Napa vineyards, and they now own more than 500 acres in Napa Valley. The first commercial release was the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. The first Antica Chardonnay was released in 2007.

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.