Today we share the wines of Eric Yuan and his Napa estate. He has utilized the talents of winemaker Phillip Titus and renowned Viticulturist Garrett Buckland. His brand, Acumen Wines, has established an estate that features 116 organically certified acres of vines, spread across two vineyards on Napa Valley’s Atlas Peak. The Acumen team makes a small portfolio of estate-grown wines, with a focus on mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc as well as Sauvignon Blanc.
It is no surprise that Phillip Tutus describes this region as “remote and extremely difficult to plant.” Acumen acquired its first vineyard on Atlas Peak in 2012. Originally planted in 1992, and featuring 32 acres of vines with a northeast exposure, the Attelas Vineyard was the ‘home vineyard’ of Dr. Jan Krupp, predating his famed Stagecoach Vineyard by three years. In 2014, Acumen expanded its estate program with the acquisition of the Edcora Vineyard, which features 84 acres of vines 350 feet higher up on Atlas Peak.
I adored both of the new release wines by Acumen, both coming from the somewhat challenging2022 vintage. The 2022 Acumen Wines ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 95) which is rich and viscous with serious tension and herbal accents. I absolutely love these new wines and learn more at https://www.acumenwine.com. Here are my reviews of the new Acumen Wines.
2022 Acumen ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Franc- The 2022 ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Franc is a gorgeous edition of this wine by winemaker Phillip Titus that has small portions Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. This is plump and round on the mouth with red bell pepper and creosote tones that mingle well with garrigue, dark currants and good underlying verve considering the heat of the vintage. Full-bodied and already nicely evolved, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2022 Acumen ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers dense dark fruits that speak to the vintage. Chocolate, fresh sage and loamy soils complete this outstanding bottling that is already drinking beuaitfully. Drink 2025-2037- 93