92 Points, Tasting Panel
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with expressive aromas of plum, boysenberry, red currant, black olive, caramel and toasted oak. Broad, chewy textures deliver layered impressions of blueberry, cherry, cassis and violet with undercurrents of graphite, sage, eucalyptus and vanilla bean. Fresh acidity and fine tannins carry into a long, expansive finish.
91 Points, Vinous
Black currants, grilled sage and crushed stone form a darkly enticing bouquet as the 2021 Cabernet Savuginon opens in the glass. This is a surprisingly juicy and energetic in character, with racy wild berry fruits offset by a tinge of sour citrus. It tapers off with dramatic length and grippy tannins yet somehow leaves the mouth watering for more. Hints of cocoa and twist of tangerine linger.
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Black plum and violet aromas meet with toasted oak and cocoa dust on the nose of this bottling. There’s a chalky frame to the palate, where blackberry and woodspice flavors align.
94 Points, Tasting Panel
A spectacular vintage for this blend of 57% Syrah, 33% Petit Verdot, and 10% Malbec. While it’s bold and concentrated, it has a satin mouthfeel, filled with jammy notes of blackberry and pomegranate. Savory notes of sweet tobacco, Luxardo cherry, and floral tones lift the flavor profile in a crescendo of plush pleasure.
In the Central Coast of California, there is one winery marching to the beat of their own drummer. Breaking the number one rule of keep winery visitors near the cash register and instead opting to open up their immaculate Santa Margherita Ranch to visitors for ziplining through the vineyards, wildlife tours, family picnics, lavish dinners, you name it.
But Ancient Peaks isn’t worried about the potential distractions, especially not with their secret weapon at the helm. A young, rising star winemaker who has put all of the Central Coast if not California on notice.
Armed with one of the brightest rising stars in winemaking, Ancient Peaks has been setting the pace for what has become the budding wine region in Paso Robles. Winemaker Amanda Wittsrom-Higgins was last year’s cover for Wine Enthusiast’s annual list of “40 Under 40 of America’s Top Tastemakers” and was included as one of “the trailblazers who are redefining the industry as we know it.”
The quiet revolution she’s been leading is beginning to draw attention. The Wine Advocate recently called Amanda’s wines, “keenly priced, high-quality wines that deserve to be better known.” That might be true but it too many catch on, there’s no way we’ll continue to be able to grab these massively intense wines for these prices.