All of us have goals. Is yours to travel to an exotic location on your bucket list or do you want to organize your wine cellar? Would you like to finish that novel you started years ago? Perhaps it’s to finally start that business you have been dreaming of for years. Craig Camp, Managing Partner of Cornerstone Cellars in Yountville, California explained that their goal in winemaking is to “craft wines with elegance and finesse while still honoring the power, which is an accurate expression of Napa Valley terroir.” With their 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and 2010 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, this goal was clearly met. Both cabernets from the same vintage year express the unique terroir of the vineyards.
Camp shared that another mission was to create wines with levels of alcohol which are not over-the-top high (think 16% despite the label stating otherwise). Instead of a ready-made recipe, the Cornerstone Cellars team wants to harvest the grapes at the moment when it’s perfect or rather “the moment that defines that vintage” in order to achieve levels of acidity which make the wines refreshing to drink. That said, when you think of wines from Cornerstone Cellars, don’t assume that they fall in the well known Napa category of “Big Wine”. Instead, they offer absolute balance, complexity, and freshness along with an ability to pair with so many culinary creations…not only a thick, juicy steak. The bottom line? Wines from Cornerstone Cellars aren’t created to appeal to the masses.
To truly appreciate these wines, you must first understand the challenges of the 2010 harvest in Napa Valley. Ripening was delayed for around three weeks thanks to a cool and unusually damp summer along with a prolonged coastal cloud layer. Towards the end of August, temperatures soared and sunburn damage of exposed fruit was evident. Cooler than average temperatures occurred in early September and a most welcome Indian Summer brought intense flavors and tannin development at lower sugar levels to produce in Camp’s words “elegant, structured, impeccably balanced wines”. What was truly problematic for those “Big Cab” producers was a gift for all who enjoy these wines. The cool summer helped the goal to create a truly balanced wine to be achieved.
The 2010 Cornerstone Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (sent as a sample) includes Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in the vineyards of Ink Grade on Howell Mountain, Oakville Station in the To Kalon district, and Kairos in Oak Knoll. Fruit from Howell Mountain vineyards helps provide structure and those from Oakville Station vineyards suggest a smooth, silky mouthfeel. Kairos vineyards grapes infuse aromas and a freshness which I loved. But there are more. Cabernet Franc from Talcott Vineyard in St. Helena and Merlot from Oakville Station are a brilliant addition to help add rich texture and flavors. I was mesmerized by the intense aromas of cherries, touch of cinnamon, and vanilla. After aerating for twenty minutes, flavors of more cherries, vanilla, spice, and soft tannins were fresh and bright. The finish on this wine was long lasting with notes of cherries. Achieving a balance of fruit, tannins, acidity, and alcohol? Absolutely…this wine had the “wow” factor which all of us enjoyed from beginning to end. The cost is $65.
The 2010 Cornerstone Cellars Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (sent as a sample) is of fruit sourced from Ink Grade Vineyard on high slopes on the east side of Howell Mountain. As opposed to the red, clay soils which are found on many Howell Mountain sites, soils on organically farmed Ink Grade are of powdery, white tufa soils, a blend of silica, calcium carbonate, and often volcanic ash deposited over time from water sources. The 10% Merlot added is from Stewart Ranch Vineyard in Carneros. You will find aromas of dark red and black fruit such as blackberries and currants, anise, and exotic spice. The first tastes presented after you let this rich, dense wine open? Think of those from deep, dark fruits such as more blackberries with plenty of tannic structure to add complexity. But there is bright acidity, too, which helped raise those chewy tannins to help create another wonderfully balanced wine in my glass. The finish was incredibly lasting and satisfying. My tasting friends agreed with me that this Howell Mountain Cabernet could be cellared for up to twenty years as it will be more elegant with added layers of structure and balance. The cost is $80.
Craig Camp feels that his ongoing goals are to make wines which he and his team love to drink and to find wine lovers who agree. I’m certainly one of those wine lovers and those with whom I shared these wines couldn’t have been more appreciative of and amazed at their depth. Working diligently and with intelligence to achieve your objectives can only result in success. And now the Cornerstone Cellars team is setting those goals even higher. Wow!
Cheers~ Cindy
Craig Camp
Cindy Rynning