The Wilder Side of California

2003 Fountainhead - Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Borges Vineyard; Vinfolio rating: 92 points
I recently became acquainted with a new release from a couple local guys who have cut their teeth in the trenches of Napa Valley. Jason Fisher and Sam Sharp are the guys behind this high quality, excellent value release. Jason has been making wine for nearly a decade with experience at Paradigm, Cosentino and Grace Family as well as working eight harvests as a winemaker in South Africa. I met Sam when he was Sales Director for Clos du Val in the early 1990s and have followed his evolution into one of the most interesting brokerage companies in the valley. The name Fountainhead comes from Ayn Rand's novel, The Fountainhead, Sam's wife Traci's favorite book. Traci is also the designer of the label. The Morisoli Borges vineyard is farmed by Mike Morisoli and is located in Rutherford and is planted to Cabernet clones 4 and 7.

This second release shows excellent pedigree for such a young project. The nose shows creamy cassis, dark pomegranate, cherry and spice. The flavors are nicely focused, with hints of sweet chocolate, black currant, violet, licorice and smoke. Drink: 2006-2012.

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