2010 Quivet Cellars Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

Quivet Cellars is a new enterprise that involves several business partners and the much-admired winemaker Mike Smith, who previously helped produce wines at such distinguished wineries as Schrader Cellars, Outpost, Maybach Family and Rivers Marie. He trained with Thomas Brown and also has his own label, Myriad Cellars. Quivet makes premium, single-vineyard wines in small quantities generally available only through its mailing list. The name of the company is a reference to Quivet Neck, a seafaring region on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Quivet Cellars sources grapes from such prime vineyards as Beckstoffer Las Piedras and Las Madres Vineyards. The estate makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc. Wine Advocate has rated many Quivet wines in the mid to high 90s.

Spring Mountain AVA is above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains. There is no actual Spring Mountain, but the name has traditionally been used for the area, which includes many streams and springs. Spring Mountain was awarded appellation status in 1993 and it includes about 1,000 vineyard acres. Vineyard elevations are high, from 400 to 2,600 feet above sea level. Because of the altitude of most vineyards, which are above the fog line, mornings become warm earlier than vineyards on the valley floor, though the afternoons are cooled by maritime winds. The result is an exceptionally long growing season. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most frequently planted grape by acreage, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.

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.