2017 Highlands Winery Mountain Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

When we recently offered Highlands’ 2017 Howell Mountain Reserve, it sold out within hours, so we went straight back to the source: veteran Napa grower and underground legend Paul Segas… who also happens to be a longtime friend.  

Paul’s premium-quality grapes have been a hot commodity for such legendary Napa names as Chateau Montelena, Pine Ridge, Robert Mondavi, Joseph Phelps, Domaine Chandon, and Mumm for over 30 years. His co-founder Dave Cofran managed none other than Silver Oak for 20 years prior—it’s safe to say that everyone in the Valley has clamored to work with this decorated duo at some point. 

Today, Paul holds the NDA-shrouded keys to Napa Valley’s most prestigious vineyards, which is how he managed to finagle such an unbelievable deal with one of Atlas Peak’s top estates in 2017—the debut vintage of this Highlands Mountain Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon.

Thanks to our longstanding friendship (and countless discussions over bottles of Highlands) Wine Access members now have access to this mountain stunner.

A stone’s throw from Continuum and Ovid’s luxe terroir, the Mountain Cuvée’s prestigious Atlas Peak site also serves as the Cabernet backdrop for $200+ bottlings from Alpha Omega, Caymus, and Pahlmeyer. And having spent 22 months in 33% new French oak barrels, the 2017 Mountain Cuvee has much of the same energetic balance between ripe mountain fruit and structured tannins that is this vineyard’s unmistakable hallmark.

Robust right out of the gate with a midnight black core and a kiss of purple, this bountiful Cabernet has just as much power, depth, and rich fruit character as its pricy vineyard brethren. Leading with an aromatic parade of deep purple flowers, tobacco, and spice, layers upon layers of blackberry preserve, dark plum, espresso, and graphite on the palate feel heightened with a unique breadth of structure and lush tannins that build through the finish.

Only 450 cases of the 2017 Mountain Cuvee were made, and this Atlas Peak Cabernet is just as collector-worthy as its (sold out) Howell Mountain predecessor—at an even better price.