The Wine Palate ReviewRated 98The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Au Sommet is made from 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a lot of swirling and coaxing to bring out classic notes of black-currant jelly, boysenberry preserves, and wild blueberries, leading to hints of dark chocolate, licorice, lilacs, and fertile loam. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and taut with muscular black-fruit layers, supported by very firm, grainy tannins and great tension, finishing very long and earthy.
Au Sommet Atlas Peak Napa Cabernet 2023
A powerful, mountain-driven Napa Cabernet, Au Sommet 2023 captures the intensity, structure, and purity of Atlas Peak’s high-elevation vineyards.Crafted by Heidi Barrett, this vintage delivers deep fruit, firm tannins, and volcanic-soil minerality wrapped in polished, age-worthy elegance.
Key Details
- Producer: Au Sommet
- Region: Atlas Peak, Napa Valley
- Varietal: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot
- Elevation: ~2,100 feet
- Soils: Volcanic tuff and rocky hillside terrain
- ABV: ~14.5%
- Style: Powerful, structured, mountain-grown Napa Cabernet
Tasting Notes
- Blackberry, cassis, and black cherry
- Graphite, crushed rock, and volcanic minerality
- Cedar, cocoa, and warm spice
- Firm, age-worthy tannins with a long, focused finish
Profile & Craft
- High-elevation fruit delivers intensity, freshness, and structure
- Volcanic soils add signature mineral tension and depth
- Heidi Barrett’s hallmark precision and balance
- 2023 vintage shows clarity, concentration, and cellar potential
Serving & Pairing
- Serve at 60-65°F; decant 60-90 minutes
- Pairs with ribeye, lamb, truffle dishes, and aged cheeses
- Ideal for collectors and mountain-Cabernet enthusiasts
- A standout expression of Atlas Peak’s volcanic power and elegance
