September 26th, 2019
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By Danny Mangin | September 26, 2019 |
Great workout on Sunday afternoon rambling up and down the steep slopes Hesperian Wines’ "Kitiko" Vineyard. Do these Atlas Peak AVA Cabernet Sauvignon grapes look like they’ll make luscious wine or what? “It’s a pile of rocks!” quipped owner-winemaker-viticulturist Philippe Langner (pic 2) when I asked to describe his vineyard, altitude 1,350–1,450 feet.
Langner makes a complex, soulful 100% Cabernet from Kitoko fruit (pic 3) and a Napa Valley Cabernet that’s a blend of Kitoko and Coombsville grapes. Only 300 cases of each in 2015. More about the wry and dry-as-his-wines Langner and our tasting at Kitchen Collective with Greg Sweval in a mag profile appearing later this fall.
You can taste Hesperian Cabs this weekend — along with wines from a dozen other Atlas Peak Appellation Association wineries — at the AVA’s annual A Taste of Atlas Peak celebration (Sept. 28th, Black Stallion Estate Winery). Good group, including Acumen Wine, Antica Napa Valley, Duckhorn Vineyards, Michael Mondavi Family Estate, and Prime Solum Tasting Barn. Tix/info here: bit.ly/_taste_of_atlas_peak_2019