Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2016

Mount Veeder Winery, located on the rugged Mount Veeder mountain, originally made a name for themselves in the 1970's with their first release in 1973. Mount Veeder was the first vineyard in Napa Valley planted to all five of the Bordeaux grape varieties used in a classic Bordeaux blend. They feel that blending is the key to crafting the most complete, balanced wine and enhancing the inherent characteristics of each variety. The philosophy at Mount Veeder Winery is that each wine should have its own remarkable way of expressing the mountain soil from which it was born. They believe that great wines are a reflection of their terroir—the combination of soil, topography, microclimate and people—and that excellent grapes handled with minimal processing have the potential to produce the greatest wines. The ultimate goal is the creation of a rich, seamless wine.

These Mount Veeder vines speak a language all their own. Becoming fluent in that language, fully understanding all its subtleties and nuance is the trick to making great wine from mountain vineyards. Over the years, the folks at Mt. Veeder winery have come to know the contours, dips, and ridges of the mountain and the sequence of ripening that is the key to it all. A Mount Veeder harvest is a Zen-like art of moving across a three-dimensional chessboard. Take the uphill side of the vine only, or the downhill side, or just the north, south, east, or west section. They pick only what is ready and at peak flavor and ripeness. It’s a complex endeavor, and needs to be carved with precision, matching areas of the block that are at the same level of ripeness, and leaving other areas to mature another week or more.

Winemaker's notes : 'Deep ruby color, the 2016 Reserve Red shows beautifully layered aromas of ripe blackberry, dark cherry, and cassis meld with savory notes of white pepper, cardamom, and complex sandalwood and rosemary. Seamlessly dense cassis and dark berries lead to a rich, full palate that is round with juicy, fleshy dark fruit. The smooth tannins are integrated and deftly woven. The wine is bright and well-balanced with a graciously powerful character that finishes with long, bold, and intense flavors. '

Blend: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot