{"title":"Cornerstone","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"cornerstone-cabernet-sauvignon-2009","title":"Cornerstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2009","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCornerstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon produced from Howell Mountain fruit, bottled at 14.9% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This vintage earned a Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and received 93 points and a \"Supreme\" 5-Star rating from BevX, which declared it capable of going \"toe-to-toe with the best of them.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14.9%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2009  |  Winery: Cornerstone Cellars\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCornerstone Cellars was founded by Dr. Michael Dragutsky, whose introduction to premium Napa winemaking came during a pivotal 1991 harvest visit with Randy Dunn, widely regarded as the wine master of Howell Mountain. Since then, Cornerstone has maintained long-term vineyard contracts on Howell Mountain, sourcing fruit from sites at 1,700 to 2,000 feet elevation where red mountain soils stress vines into producing intensely concentrated berries. The 2009 vintage was fermented in small lots and aged 20 to 22 months in French oak barrels, with up to 90% new wood, building structure and complexity without overwhelming the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with explosive, layered aromatics — ripe blackberry, black cherry, and cassis dominate, followed by undercurrents of allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and leather. A subtle mineral quality and well-integrated sweet oak provide depth beneath the dark fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is dense and full-bodied, delivering concentrated black cherry, cassis, and licorice alongside a creamy coffee quality drawn from the French oak aging. At mid-palate, the wine reveals its mountain-fruit muscularity — structured and sleek rather than heavy, with no excess weight. Subtle earthy notes emerge and expand as the wine opens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is long and slightly drying, with firm but well-integrated tannins rippling beneath the dark fruit. Lingering impressions of cassis, dark cherry, and faint oak spice persist well after the last sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Cornerstone Cabernet\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis wine is best served at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass that allows its complex aromatics to fully develop. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes will soften the tannins and reveal additional layers of fruit and spice. Given the richness and structure of this Cabernet, cocktail applications are not recommended — this is a wine built for undivided attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCellaring for special milestone occasions — the structured tannins and Howell Mountain concentration reward patience\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a high-end steak dinner or holiday prime rib\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a serious Napa Valley Cabernet collector\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eServing as the centerpiece pour at a blind tasting of mountain-grown Cabernets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Cornerstone Cabernet 2009 taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers concentrated black cherry, cassis, and licorice flavors supported by creamy French oak coffee notes and firm mountain tannins. The profile is full-bodied and sleek, with a long, slightly drying finish and subtle earthy undertones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Cornerstone Cabernet compare to Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both wines draw from Howell Mountain fruit and share the concentrated, structured character that high-elevation Napa vineyards produce. Cornerstone tends toward a slightly more approachable style with generous new French oak influence, while Dunn is historically known for austere, long-aging wines that require extended cellaring to open up.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Cornerstone Cabernet 2009 good for sipping on its own?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely — it was built for contemplative drinking, with layered aromatics and enough tannic structure to evolve in the glass over a full evening. Decanting is recommended to let the wine reach its full expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Cornerstone Cabernet made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Cornerstone Cellars is based in Napa Valley, California, and sources its Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from contracted Howell Mountain vineyards situated at approximately 1,700 to 2,000 feet elevation in volcanic red mountain soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Cornerstone Cabernet 2009?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled bone-in ribeye works exceptionally well, as the charred fat mirrors the wine's smoky oak. Braised short ribs complement the cassis and earthy notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère highlight the wine's tannic backbone. Roasted lamb with rosemary echoes the herbal spice, and dark chocolate with 70% cacao bridges the coffee and blackberry flavors on the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Cornerstone Cabernet come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Cornerstone Cabernet 2009 worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Cornerstone positions as a premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and its Howell Mountain sourcing, small-lot production, and extended new French oak aging place it among serious mountain Cabs. The Gold Medal from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and BevX's 93-point \"Supreme\" rating reinforce that it delivers strong value within its tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Cornerstone Cabernet 2009?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat separates this wine from the crowded field of Napa Cabernet is its direct lineage to Howell Mountain, one of the valley's most respected appellations for age-worthy reds. The fruit comes from the same high-elevation vineyard sites Cornerstone has contracted since the early 1990s, giving the wine a consistency of terroir expression that many newer producers cannot match. BevX's 93-point \"Supreme\" rating and the San Francisco Chronicle Gold Medal confirm that the 2009 vintage landed among the top examples of the category. For anyone seeking a structured, mountain-grown Napa Cabernet with over a decade of bottle age behind it, this is a compelling and increasingly rare bottle to find.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cornerstone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837594267817,"sku":"26082","price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Cornerstone-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2009__97457.jpg?v=1730487640"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/cornerstone.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}