2021 Acumen Peak Cabernet Franc Atlas Peak Napa Valley

• "A Cellar Trophy You Would Be Wise to Add to Your Collection” ~96 WRO
• “A New Shining Star From Napa Valley” ~Forbes
  
• 97 Point "Fabulous & Limited" Vintage ~Wine Spectator
• Winemaker Phillip Titus (Chappellet Vineyard)
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About the Wine

"As this ages and the structure mellows it will become a serious beauty, and a cellar trophy you would be wise to add to your collection". ~96 Rich Cook, Wine Review Online

Acumen: Keenness, depth of perception, and discernment. The ability to make good judgments and decisions.

Founded by the visionary proprietor Eric Yuan and guided by a team that includes legendary Winemaker Phillip Titus and renowned Viticulturist Michael Wolf, Acumen is dedicated to creating the next great Napa Valley wine estate. 

Winemaker Phillip Titus, known for his 30-year tenure at Chappellet Vineyard on Pritchard Hill, is a renowned Napa Valley icon. His passion for wine was born early in life, growing up in Napa Valley and working alongside his family in their vineyard. After studying viticulture and enology at UC Davis, Phillip honed his skills in wineries both in California and abroad, ultimately becoming a master of his craft.

With 84 acres of vines nestled in the heart of Napa Valley’s Atlas Peak, Acumen focuses on crafting exceptional mountain-grown wines. Drawing inspiration from the golden era of Napa Valley Cabernets in the 1960s and 1970s, Acumen's wines are celebrated for their balance, vineyard-driven complexity, and uncommon age-worthiness. The vineyards are managed by Michael Wolf, who has helped transform the vineyards at Scarecrow, Meteor, and Vine Hill Ranch into world class sites.

In 2012, entrepreneur Eric Yuan embarked on a quest to establish an estate vineyard capable of producing wines of classic balance, beauty, and structure. With the guidance of renowned founding Winemaker Denis Malbec and the discovery of Atlas Peak's unique terroir, Acumen found its home high on the slopes where temperatures are cooler, and volcanic soils add depth to the grapes.

Denis was a highly respected winemaker in Napa who’s expertise include Château Latour, Château Loudenne, Newton Vineyard, Blankiet Estate, and more.

This estate has quickly become a favorite among top critics and magazines. Forbes said, “The newest spotlight on Atlas Peak comes from Acumen Napa Valley, launched in 2012 by Eric Yuan and an impressive team, headed by now-late (and sorely missed) Denis Malbec.”

2021 is looking to be one of the vintages of the decade. Vinous Media blessed this year with a 95-98 point score, and said: "Two thousand twenty-one is a fabulous vintage in Napa Valley. That’s the good news. The not so good news is that production is down sharply, 30-50% in many cases. The wines have tremendous energy as well as finesse."

Tasting Notes

76% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot.

Critical Reviews

Just cracking the limit for variety specific labeling with 14 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 percent Merlot in the mix, this producer wisely lets the Cabernet Franc name take top billing anyway as it reflects the core personality of the wine.  The combination of Cabernet Franc’s red fruit tones with Atlas Peak’s signature minerality makes for a delightful combination, with rich oak spice adding depth without smothering the primary characteristics.  As this ages and the structure mellows it will become a serious beauty, and a cellar trophy you would be wise to add to your collection. ~96 Rich Cook, Wine Review Online

The 2021 ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Franc is a gorgeous bottling made from famed winemaker Phillip Titus that has smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon (14%) and Merlot (10%) blended in. This is a stunning wine with plenty of herbal tones on the palate. Rich cassis, red bell pepper, mocha and dark chocolate shavings all fill the palate alongside refined tannins and fantastic weight and tension. This offers some really good value. ~95 Owen Bargreen

Perfumed on the nose with dark cherries, blackcurrants, sweet oak spices and some vanilla, too. Full-bodied with fine-tuned tannins. Harmonious and balanced with an delicious and lively core of berries on the mid-palate and a vibrant, developing finish. Try after 2026. ~95 James Suckling

~95 The Wine Independent

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