World Wine 2001 Astrale e Terra Arcturus Red

Atlas Peak, Napa Valley, California Astrale e Terra Arcturus is named for the 4th brightest star in the sky, the flagship red meritage considered the winery s Red Supergiant. Astrale e Terra means "Heaven and Earth" and is the name chosen for this blossoming Atlas Peak winery founded in 1997 by proprietor Paul Johnson. Winemaker Bill Ballentine crafted this gorgeous Bordeaux-style red blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. With an elevation of 2683 feet, the Atlas Peak appellation gives this wine a unique "terroir." Astrale e Terra Arcturus is dense ink-purple in color with a mouth-watering aroma of blackberries, blueberries, black currant, chocolate and spice. It is full-bodied, thick and chewy, with mouth-filling viscosity and fruit-forward flavors of berries, currant, cedar and mocha. The wine was aged for 19 months in small French oak barrels, 25% new, then bottle aged for 16 months. With good structure and grip, the wine has a finish that balances pow