2008 Cornerstone Cellars Stepping Stone Cabernet Sauvignon
Mission Codename: The Path to Nirvana
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Return to Cornerstone Cellars and procure their newly released 2008 Stepping Stone Cabernet Sauvignon
Mission Status: Accomplished
Current Winery: Cornerstone Cellars
Wine Subject: 2008 Stepping Stone Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, by Cornerstone Cellars
Winemaker: Jeff Keene
Backgrounder:
For today’s wine, we sent Agent Red back to Cornerstone Cellars, a Wine Spies favorite. Until now, Cornerstone has been best-known for producing some of the finest, premium-priced, Cabernet Sauvignon the The Wine Spies have had the pleasure to taste. Today’s wine comes from their second label, Stepping Stone,
Read Agent Red’s tasting notes, along with his exclusive interview with winemaker, Jeff Keene.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Dark garnet hued, with a band of ruby that rings the glass. The wine is perfectly clear through its darkening heart, and when swirled it leaves behind skinny legs as it settles.
Smell – Youthful and vibrant, warm candied cherry leads the way, quickly followed by lush strawberry and cranberry. These mingle with soft cedar, vanilla, oak, dried flower petals and a hint of subtle green peppercorn.
Feel – Bright and pointed, on the attack, then firm tannins take hold, adding a hint of dryness that spreads from the tip of the tongue to the back of the palate. Eventually, the lips and cheeks become softly dry.
Taste – Youthful and bright, with underripe blackberry, young strawberry and cranberry. Flavors of fresh cut cedar, a hint of tobacco leaf and oak follow.
Finish – High and bright with smoky cherry and young strawberry, that linger into tart sweetwoods and flint.
Conclusion – This wine is youthful and bright, showing amazing potential for development over the next few years. If you are patient enough. With bright and bold flavors, and high, vibrant aromatics, this wine is best enjoyed after some extended decanting. Enjoy a bottle now, one closer to the Holidays, and one each year for the next ten! This is an age-worthy wine that should only continue to improve as it ages. Pair with bolder fare, such as a spicy pasta dish or a rich beef stew.
Mission Report:
WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER
SUBJECT: Jeff Keene
WINE EDUCATION: Postgraduate Degree in Oenology and Viticulture from Lincoln University, New Zealand.
CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Cornerstone Cellars, Peter Franus Wine Company and Havens Wine Cellars
WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: To produce wines that reflect site and appellation, respecting traditions and to make wines we love to drink.
WINEMAKER QUOTE: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…
WINEMAKER INTERVIEW
AGENT RED: Greetings, Jeff. We are thrilled to be showing your [wine] today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.
JEFF: That you so much for this exciting opportunity to show Cornerstone’s 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon this time around.
RED: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?
JEFF: Well, growing up in a house where there was nothing, but the ‘bag in the box’ wine on offer, I can tell you it inspired me to find better wine, so you could say my parents inspired me…
RED: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?
JEFF: All wines I try influence me in one way or another, but in terms of winemakers I have learnt and still learning from Peter Franus and Michael Havens, 2 great but stylistically different winemakers.
RED: Who do you make wine for?
JEFF: You, me and all the consumers out there who enjoy great wines.
RED: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.
JEFF: A 100% varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, our 2008 Stepping Stone Cabernet Sauvignon is a concentrated, multi-layered wine where the dark, rich fruit dominates as the palate expands, but the acid remains lively, juicy and focused. The tannins are long, youthful and satisfying and bring richness and length to the palate.
RED: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?
JEFF: A teriyaki marinated skirt steak. (from Alex who works in our Yountville tasting room)
RED: In your opinion, what makes the Napa Valley so special?
JEFF: What makes Napa so special… the 2008 Stepping Stone Cabernet Sauvignon highlights the complexity and diversity of winegrowing in the Napa Valley. From the muscular, dense, concentrated fruit of Wooden Valley to the lusciously complex, bold, earthy aromatics and tannic structure of Oakville, which are then lifted with a touch of softness, acidity and forward, almost floral notes from the Coombsville and Carneros vineyards of Southern Napa.
RED: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?
JEFF: I’m out of the winery and into the vineyards…walking, sampling , tasting…it’s getting close for our white varieties.
RED: How would you recommend people approach your wines and wine in general?
JEFF: With great enthusiasm and vigor. With wine in general…don’t be afraid to try new wines, new winemakers, new regions / new experiences. Let your own intuition guide you.
RED: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
JEFF: I would just like thank The Wine Spies for this fantastic opportunity to showcase one of our wines and to thank all your readers out there for their amazing support. Thank you.
RED: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Cornerstone tasting room, in the heart of downtown Yountville, can be seen in this satellite photo.
