Scattered Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 | Possibly Napa Valley’s best deal amongst the super-premium Cabs

Scattered Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 offers intense black and red fruit aromas bolstered by hints of mountain sage and a touch of anise. On the palate, dark brooding fruit flavors of black cherry and cassis mingle with an essence of black licorice and violets.  And espresso and dark chocolate notes. While firm and silky tannins and a touch of vanilla support the long, lingering finish of this classic Napa Valley Cabernet.  Winemaker Joel Aiken creates this gem from 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec

We loved the Scattered Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 sweet fruit on the palate and aromas of boysenberry, truffle, cherry jam and road tar. It’s simply a giveaway at this price. Decanter agreed, loving its “Roasted herb, coffee, black cherry and blackberry fruit compote on the nose. The palate is rich and concentrated but never heavy, with a lively acidity providing a sense of movement. Tannins are mighty and show that this will blossom with more time.”

Red Wine Gems Under $35

97D | Scattered Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 shows roasted herb, coffee, black cherry and blackberry fruit compote on the nose. The palate is rich and concentrated but never heavy. With a lively acidity providing a sense of movement. While tannins are mighty and show that this will blossom with more time.

92WW | Well-defined, nicely structured, and possibly Napa Valley’s best deal amongst the super-premium Cabs.  The animated Scattered Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 shows up strong yet poised on the palate. While the wine’s black fruit, light oak, and firm tannins pair it well with a thick charbroiled steak.

Scattered Peaks – Collaboration of Legends

Scattered Peaks is an elevated, artful spin on Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. While carefully curated and elegantly crafted by wine industry icon, Derek Benham and legendary Napa Valley Winemaker, Joel Aiken.

Leveraging their deep passion for the California wine industry, Derek and Joel curate superior fruit from coveted regions throughout Napa Valley. Hence, their plunder is then aged in carefully curated oak barrels and artfully blended to achieve the high levels of quality and experience.

Winemaker Joel Aiken

Encouraged by his mother, an art professor, to go to UC Davis vs. Fresno State, where most of his friends were going.  There, Joel pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. But by his senior year, having seen Davis’ winemaking and viticulture programs and visited Napa wineries on the weekends, Joel’s sights were firmly set on a winemaking career. He worked the 1980 harvest at Inglenook, went back to Davis to get his Master’s degree, and in 1982 – while finishing his Master’s thesis comparing French and American oak barrels for the aging of Cabernet Sauvignon – joined Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) as Enologist.

So Joel’s rise at BV was swift. Notably in 1985 at the age of 28, Joel was promoted to Winemaker, making him the youngest Winemaker in BV’s history. His winemaking expertise and leadership skills subsequently led to a 27-year career at the winery.

It was also at BV that Joel met and worked with the legendary André Tchelistcheff, who returned to consult in 1990. For several years Joel worked side-by-side with the great master, and together they shaped BV’s future with new blends such as Tapestry, a blend of red Bordeaux varietals. And by adding the influence of both Merlot and French oak barrel aging to the Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.