2010 Dos Lagos Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Atlas Peak, Napa Valley.
This edition of Dos Lagos is bursting with fruit, sweet tannin and freshness, making it the most serious effort to date with nice savory spice positive wood notes and a lengthy finish. Pure Atlas Peak volcanic tuft terroir chalkiness and firm structure highlight it’s sense of place and the detailed richness show Robert Foley’s talented influence throughout. The nose has interesting complexities with acacia, black olives, graphite and black fruits all vying for attention along with a deep purple hue, before the warming palate of currants, mocha, mineral and blackberry unfolds with hints of creme de cassis, cedar, melted licorice, savory spices and cherry essence. Background touches of game, sweet tobacco, sage and espresso add interest, air really helps at this young age dramatically so if you pop this baby open early, best results would be has by decanting. This wine is surely a Napa wine, but has a Ornellaia meets Ridge Monte Bello feel to it, and that is a huge compliment in my book and it shows a wild side as well with edginess, this is a uniquely crafted wine of concentration, but also lively, a touch raw and racy to boot. I hope to follow this wine into the future, while that past Cabernets from Dos Lagos were more flamboyant this one has become a more mature style that surly will merit a higher score after some more bottle age, Drink 2015-2019.
($125 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive