Wine of the Week: 2009 Ancient Peaks Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon ($12.99)

Ancient Peaks is a small family-owned estate winery that produces wine from a single site, the Margarita Vineyard, which was first planted to vines by the Franciscan missionaries in 1774. Situated in the Santa Lucia Mountain Range near the San Luis Obispo border, 14 miles from the ocean, the Margarita Vineyard is the most southerly site within the Paso Robles appellation, where it enjoys a cooler climate and longer growing season than its neighbors to the north. The climate factor, combined with the unique and varying soil types of the Margarita Vineyard, result in the ability of Ancient Peaks to stand out in Paso as producers of terroir-drive wines wines with great balance and finesse...   

Read our recent interview with Amanda Wittstrom-Higgins of the Ancient Peaks Family here, or simply enjoy their incredibly affordable Cab, this week's Wine of the Week.

This Cab from the Margarita Vineyard in Santa Margarita, California belies its modest price, and is perfect for everyday drinking. Cocoa powder, black olives, graphite, cherry and currant aromas define the nose. On the palate, the black currant is spiked with vanilla bean and anise seed, all framed by supple tannins and good acidity.