2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa/Sonoma
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot) comes from a much stronger vintage than 2011. It exhibits deep, charcoal-infused, creme de cassis, blackberry, licorice and subtle smoke notes in addition to admirable texture and a soft, consumer-friendly style. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. As always, this winery situated at the crest of Spring Mountain on both sides of the Napa/Sonoma counties boundary, has turned out a portfolio of interesting as well as satisfying wines. Amazingly, Pride Mountain Vineyards now owns over 85 acres at high elevation sites spread over the top of Spring Mountain. Pride Mountain’s two flagship offerings are much more limited in availability, with only 569 cases of the 2010 Claret Reserve and 1,365 cases of the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Tel. (707) 963-4949
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(blended with 9% merlot and 6% petit verdot): Subdued but pure aromas of cassis, licorice, herbs and tobacco leaf, complicated by notes of sweet butter, pepper and vanillin oak. Perfumed and fine-grained in the mouth, with a restrained sweetness and very good thrust to the black cherry, currant and tobacco leaf flavors. Finishes with a firm spine of lively acids and chalky tannins and very good length. As with the merlot, the fruit was picked into early November. Production here was 5,750 cases.
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is brighter, fresher and more vibrant than the 2009. Black cherries, mocha, violets, licorice and graphite all jump from the glass. The 2010 is quite typical of the vintage in its verve, cut, focus and minerality. This is a terrific showing.