2021 Acumen Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

Phil Titus is a Napa Valley legend. The Chappellet winemaker has put in over three decades at the iconic winery. He’s got a perfect 100-point score under his belt, and he’s a perennial Wine Access member-favorite for the wines he makes under his personal Titus label.

But even most insiders don’t know about the wines he makes for the under-the-radar Acumen label. The small producer is devoted to making intense mountain-grown Cabernet entirely from their fantastic estate vineyard—which is farmed by rockstar vineyard manager Mike Wolf, who also boasts clients like Scarecrow, Vine Hill Ranch, and Bond.

Acumen’s Peak Cabernet shows off the finest of their two estate vineyards, Edcora and Attelas, through a selection of the best blocks and the best barrels. The 2021, from a phenomenal Napa Valley vintage, comprises Cabernet from their AV2, AV7, AV16, EV5 blocks, plus Merlot from AV9. The result is an under-the-radar blue-chip collectible with 97 points from The Wine Independent—or, as our VP of Wine Eduardo Dingler describes it, “the ultimate hedonistic mountain Cab.”

Acumen’s site was originally planted in 1992—a full three years before the iconic nearby Stagecoach Vineyard—and its steep slopes and cool temperatures ensure a long, steady ripening for the grapes to develop opulent richness and decadent tannins.

Their vineyardist, Mike Wolf, enjoys one of the most esteemed reputations in Napa wine circles, and he’s probably the most in-demand vineyard whisperer in California. Formerly Andy Beckstoffer’s right-hand man, he was responsible for the replanting of the legendary To Kalon Vineyard. The grapes he delivers to Phil Titus are the heart of Acumen, one of Napa Valley’s best-kept secrets.