2017 Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon

Red Hills Lake County, California

Wine Enthusiast 93 points, Cellar Selection!

Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon is an estate-grown mountain Cab from Obsidian Ridge Vineyard, planted at 2,640 feet atop the Mayacamas range north of Napa Valley on the ridge separating Alexander Valley and Clear Lake. Red Hills Lake County is one of the newest American Viticultural Areas, named for its defining volcanic soils. The 105-acre Obsidian Ridge Vineyard is named for the obsidian rock that shoots through the red soils of this steep, sloping terroir. It produces wines with great tannic structure. The owner of Obsidian Ridge as well as Molnar Family and Kazmer & Blaise wines is Tricycle Wine Company, whose principals are Arpad and Peter Molnar and Michael Terrien. Their thoughts on winemaking are compelling: "Our winemaking philosophy is to do right by the land, and make wines of place through minimal intervention and through respect for the flavor of the Californian grapes and the Hungarian oak. Our wines speak clearly of their origins." This is a true red wine gem!

There are no ratings yet on the new 2017 vintage, but Wine Advocate scored the last two vintages it rated (2014 and 2013) 92 and 93 points. We think the 2017 is the best yet for Obsidian Ridge!

Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend from four select blocks from the Obsidian Ridge Vineyard and a small percentage of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from a small block at the top of the vineyard. The wine is an elegant, aromatic expression of Cabernet Sauvignon with the dark red color of a mountain Cab. Its bouquet includes spices of bay, clove and anise on a core of cherries, cranberries and red plums. Rich, full-bodied and densely structured, it offers flavors of dark cherries, espresso beans and chocolate. The wine was aged for 18 months in the winery's signature Kadar Hungary oak barrels, 50% new. It will age for 10-15 years but is already hard to resist! The finish is long and alluring.

Enjoy Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon with filet mignon, rack of lamb, venison, moussaka and aged cheeses.