So where to start with this extraordinary Spring Mountain Cabernet?
It’s from some of the oldest Cabernet vines on Spring Mountain, and one of its finest higher-elevation vineyards. This 7-acre property, orinally planted in the 1800s, was bought by the Guilliams family in the 1970s (who made terrific Cabernets; we sold one a few years back). They then sold it to pharmaceutical billionaire Kieu Hoang, whose debut vintage was this extraordinary 2012.
Indeed, in the 2016 Family Winemakers of California grand tasting, it came in second (behind only a $140 Diamond Mountain Cabernet) – and ahead of great Cabernets from Lail, Pride, Saddleback and many others.
What really blew us away about this was how rich and dense and satisfyingly full-flavored it is now, but also how young and fresh it seems.
