2009 Frias Vineyards Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon

Frias Vineyard is owned by a family with roots in Mexico and northern California. Manuel Frias’ parents emigrated from Mexico in the 1960s and Manuel was raised in San Francisco. In 1977 Manuel and his father bought 100 acres in Spring Valley and by 1991 Manuel was making wine commercially. Frias family’s debut vintage was their 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon. Today two of Manuel’s sons are part of the winery team and Todd Heath is winemaker. Along with Cabernet Sauvignon Frias produces a red blend, Sauvignon Blanc and rosé. The limited production wines are generally sold only through the estate’s mailing list.

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.