Color Intense, concentrated red. Aroma Black currant, black cherry, and cedar, with jammy hints. Taste Fruit forward, full bodied and richly textured with well-integrated tannins and a touch of mocha.

Anthony Terlato, a leader in the wine industry for over 50 years, is a particular devotee of red Bordeaux blends and has been enjoying and cellaring those wines since the early 60s. When he began producing his own wine in California, he wanted to pay tribute to some of his favorite Bordeaux wines with a special selection of varietal blends. And thus the "Peak Series” of wines of Napa Valley Bordeaux blends were born to honor some grand crus of Bordeaux. Cardinals’ Peak is the third blend in the series, following the traditions and methods of the Margaux region, which is comprised of a blend principally of Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Merlot. This wine is full-bodied and has the most structure and deepest color of all of the Peak wines.

Technical notes

Grape Variety/Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 67%, Merlot 17%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Petit Verdot 8% Alcohol Level: 13.8% Length/Type of Aging: Aged in French oak barrels, 50% new, in our underground wine caves for 22 months.

Producer

After 50 years in the wine industry, wine is still an inspiration for me. Every vintage brings an anticipation and excitement. After all, it’s a new birth. When I discovered Pinot Grigio in Italy, I was taken by its fresh aromas, its crispness, freshness and the way it paired effortlessly with foods. It was virtually unknown when I brought it to the United States in 1979. Not surprisingly, an entire nation of wine drinkers embraced Pinot Grigio for the same reasons I did. Today Pinot Grigio is the most requested wine in fine restaurants, and Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio is the quality leader for the varietal. The U.S. was introduced to a new wine, as well as a new level of quality from Italy. I still feel about it today the same way I did the first time I tasted it. The Syrah from the Rhone Valley, dense, rich and aromatic, immediately captured my fascination as well. It was a wine that could stand alongside the best of another classic, Cabernet Sauvignon, because the taste profiles were similar: dense, rich and aromatic. We have fashioned our Syrah along those same lines. Of course, like most wine lovers, I’ve had a lifelong love affair with Bordeaux, the aristocracy of red wines, a blend of classic varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Angels’ Peak is the first of three blends we will introduce. When we decided to become vintners, our winemaking team found the right soil, and climate conditions that suited our needs. We planted some vineyards, bought others and Terlato Family Vineyards was born. It is small venture, but a sincere tribute to the wines and winemakers who have inspired us for decades. My regard for these winemakers is as artists and dreamers. I know this is true because now as a winemaker myself. I want Terlato Family Vineyards to stand among the finest wines in the world, with those crafted by my friends.