I recently tasted a couple of Cabernet’s from Scattered Peaks with Winemaker Joel Aiken over Zoom. Though we’d never met, in any form prior, Joel’s reputation as a Stalwart Napa Valley Winemaker precedes him. He spent close to 30 years making wine for a little outfit known as BV. You’re likely familiar with a number of their iconic wines such as Tapestry and Private Reserve Georges de Latour. These days he works on several projects including his own label and he makes the wine for Scattered Peaks. They’re part of the Purple Wine Company which has a number of brands. Scattered Peaks is their Luxury Cabernet Sauvignon Brand. So as you can imagine, it makes complete sense to hire someone with Joel’s wine-making skill-set, not to mention his gravitas as a major league Napa Cab guy to make these wines.
Scattered Peaks 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
The fruit for this wine came from Pope Valley (50%), Gordon Valley (29%), and Rutherford (21%). 11,000 cases were produced and it’s entirely Cabernet Sauvignon. The Purple Wine Company purchases a lot of fruit each year and that buying power allows them to make a pretty remarkable Cabernet Sauvignon for $40. Red and black fruits are joined by savory herbs from the nose to the toes. Black cherry, red raspberry, and a fine core of spices are all present. A gentle kiss of toast and baker’s chocolate are evident on the finish. This Cabernet is incredibly approachable now with a softness that makes it hard to resist. It does however have the bones to improve for a few years and drink well for at least ten. That’s certainly an impressive achievement in its price tier.
Scattered Peaks 2017 “Small Lot” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $125)
Their Small Lot Cabernet is true to its name with a mere 450 cases produced. It too is 100% Cabernet with all of the fruit coming from two spots; Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford and Sage Ridge Vineyard just south of Howell Mountain. “Small Lot” Cab is hugely aromatic with black cherry and savory herbs leading the way. Black raspberry, blueberry, and oodles of spice drive the palate. The finish is long and persistent enough to be impressive. Tannins are firm but yielding. If you’re drinking this now, I‘d decant it for at least a couple of hours so it’ll express its charms more readily. Otherwise. I’d lay it down for 8-10 years and drink it in the 5 or so that follow.
I went back to both of these wines when they had been open for just more than 24 hours. The “Small Lot” was far more ready to show off all it had than it was the day prior. And the Napa Cab was also a bit more beguiling and certainly holding its own. These are both rock solid in terms of being fine expression of Napa Cabernet. The lineage impresses too, with more than terrific fruit sources and a winemaker whose pedigree is beyond reproach. Scattered Peaks, I recommend giving them a shot if you dig Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Watch clips of Joel speaking about these Cabernet’s and a lot more below: