2009 Au Sommet Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Au Sommet is a 7-acre vineyard on Atlas Peak, in the Western Vaca Mountain Range in Napa Valley. It is a partnership between Heidi Peterson Barret, John Schwartz and Jim Barbour. The winemaker is Barret, who for more than 30 years has been a Napa Valley winemaker and has worked with such producers as Screaming Eagle, Grace Family, and Oakford Vineyards. She currently is the winemaker for Amuse Bouche, Jones family, Barbour Vineyards and others. She makes her own wines under the La Sirena label. At an elevation of 2,100 feet, Atlas Peak is one of the highest vineyard sites in Napa Valley. Au Sommet grows Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in the shallow, volcanic soil of its Atlas Peak Vineyard, which is exposed to more sun and cooler nights than vineyards on the valley floor. Au Sommet makes just one wine so far, a premium, very limited production Cabernet Sauvignon which has won high praise from wine writers.

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.