WE 94 WA 93+ Pts - According to Robert Parker - More statuesque and compelling is the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Townsend Vineyard. Initially restrained, this dense ruby/purple-colored wine offers up notes of forest floor, blackberries and cassis along with a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and attractive elegance and purity. Multilayered with sweet tannin, it should age nicely for 15+ years.
According to Wine Enthusiast -Doesn't say so on the label, but this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Atlas Peak area. Very dry and tannic, with an astringent lockdown, it's functionally undrinkable now, but it does show the intensity of this mountainous region for Cabernet, with explosive blackberry, blueberry and black currant flavors. All indications are that it's an ager. Hold until 2015, at the very least.
Winemakers Notes - Set high on the ridge overlooking Rector Canyon and Napa Valley some 1600 feet below, this 24-acre vineyard is planted on a westfacing slope of well-drained, volcanic soils. Townsend Vineyard's architecture is based on Antinori’s planting philosophy for newvineyards in Tuscany. High density vine spacing ensures low production of fruit per vine. Vine rows are aligned from east to west to achieve ideal sun exposure. Vines are trained low to the ground to take advantage of radiant heat from the volcanic rock and soils. Finally, the ideal rootstock and clones of Cabernet Sauvignon were chosen to complement Townsend's terroir ensuring the best fruit expression. Only 22% of the grapes from this vineyard were selected for Townsend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Rated 90+