Alta Winery Alta Oso Malo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018
And just like that….we waved our unicorn-horn magic wine wand and turned your Napa Valley wine drinking head upside-down.
Short version: Well, OK, it’s hard to be short because we’re bouncing off the icy-cold warehouse walls – (deep breath) - Atlas PEAK, grapes sold to the legendary John Kongsgaard for decades (also where he lives and his house is, they are neighbors and buds), DOUBLE 91 POINTS, killer ‘18 vintage (inhale, deep breath again), OVER 50 PERCENT OFF, sweet lordie, what else can we possibly cram into this sentence!?! Alas, we wish we had more, THAT is for sure.
*Got some? Rock on with your bad old self. Yer gonna love it… *
OK. These folks are relatively new to the game, having acquired the Atlas Peak vineyard in 2008, but man did they know how to pick ‘em! Right?! They have mostly sold their fruit (to Kongsgaard and others) and make a tiny, tiny amount of their own wines. The “Oso Malo” refers to the troublesome bear that roams their vineyards and takes his tenant’s cut of their prized fruit. I mean, can you blame him? At this price, with this vineyard’s pedigree (from the very same vineyard that is THE exclusive source of ALL Napa cabernet and merlot for John Kongsgaard’s own wines, I mean C’MON!!). I don’t have many firm and fast rules in this life, but if it is good enough for Kongsgaard, I’ll lap it up all day when priced with the sharpest pencil on earth like we have!!
BUT, Last Bottle guy, what’s it LIKE? Fully ripe and crushed-in-your-hands red and black fruits - cherries jubilee and cassis, with fresh and mineral elements of spearmint and crushed rocks. Good freshness and zinging in for a spot on the finish is fig, baked plums and savory, earthy notes complement the ripe fruits and spice. ROCK SOLID, love the crazy-cool Kongsgaard connection….like we said…not a lot….
The mission: to handcraft wines that exceed expectations. With the belief that all great vines begin in the vineyard, there was an instant love affair with what became known as Alta Vineyard, a site spanning 90-plus acres high atop the Napa Valley’s Atlas Peak.
With a strong respect for the environment and a commitment to sustainable practices, Alta is able to grow grapes of the highest quality possible. During the growing season and in the winemaking process, there is as little intervention as possible. Thanks to meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard, Alta wines express the unique and diverse character of Napa Valley’s soils and climate.
Alta’s first release comprised 220 cases of 2009 “Oso Malo” Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was released in the fall of 2011 and quickly sold out. Nine vintages later, the “Oso Malo” is still going strong — a benchmark of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Technical Details
Country: United StatesRegion: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker: Alta
Alcohol: 14.90%
About The Producer
For Alta, it all begins with the vines and the land. When they first laid eyes on the 90+ acre ALTA Vineyard in 2008, they instantly recognized the magic and the amazing potential of the site high atop Atlas Peak. As vintners, they have a strong respect for the environment and a commitment to sustainable vineyard practices, yielding the highest quality grapes. Their wine-making philosophy is simple: Great wine starts in the vineyard. During the growing season and winemaking, Alta intervening as little as possible. Through meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard, the wines are able to express the unique and diverse character of Napa Valley’s soils and climate. Alta's commitment to these practices is why we’ve been the sole supplier of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to Kongsgaard Wines since 2009.
Alta's first vintage was 220 cases of 2009 “Oso Malo” Cabernet Sauvignon made from our very own Alta Vineyard grapes. The wine was released in the fall of 2011 and it quickly sold out. Since then, they have patiently identified other quality growers in our pursuit of crafting the finest wines possible. Their partner vineyards are strategically chosen for their sustainable farming practices, site elevation, and microclimate. Their partners employ small-vine farming to produce low-yields and highly concentrated fruit.
In February of 2017, they purchased a 22-acre parcel on Silverado Trail in Napa. The following spring Alta planted 17 acres of new vineyards at this site. They anticipate this new vineyard to be productive by the 2021 season and we hope to be an all Estate Winery by 2021.
Pairing Suggestions
Beef, Lamb, Game, Deer, Venison, Mature & Hard cheese, Poultry
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