Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesCelebrated winemaker Joel Aiken is at his best with this masterfully crafted red sourced from both Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford and Sage Ridge Vineyard, perched high on the hills above Lake Hennessey. Concentrated notes of cedar, slate, and a slathering of grainy-textured dark chocolate meld with black cherry and plum. Sophisticated and regally structured.
Winemaker Joel Aiken has sourced from two stellar vineyards here: Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford and Judy Jordan’s Sage Ridge Vineyard high in the eastern hills of Howell Mountain. Crunchy, high-toned cassis and red currant lift an earthy undertone of dusty dark chocolate and black olive, finding plenty of length and full-bodied grace
Scattered Peaks is an elevated, artful spin on Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon carefully curated and elegantly crafted by wine industry icon, Derek Benham and legendary Napa Valley Winemaker, Joel Aiken.
Leveraging their deep passion for – and long history within – the California wine industry, Derek and Joel curate superior fruit from coveted regions throughout Napa Valley. Their plunder is then aged in carefully curated oak barrels and artfully blended to achieve the high levels of quality and experience.
Scattered Peaks is a creative marriage of Derek’s greatest loves: surfing, skiing and wine. A powerful triple-entendre, the term ‘Scattered Peaks’ refers to a surfing condition when waves approaching the shore split, creating different wave peaks. Secondly, the term signifies the many snowy peaks around the world that Benham has conquered with unmatched enthusiasm. Finally, ‘Scattered Peaks’ refers to the winery's vineyards dotted across the world-renowned Napa Valley.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.