Viader Proprietary Red 2006
-
Spectator
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The 2006 VIADER Proprietary Cabernet blend is inviting and delicate to the palate with deep purple color and rich bouquet of lavender, Indian spices, bittersweet chocolate and dense dark red fruits. Enveloped in a firm tannin structure the wine shows notes of black pepper, cedar wood and cardamom tones that gracefully intertwine with fully ripened sweet fruit. It finishes with a spark of lingering bittersweet chocolate. Notes of ripe figs, plum and cigar wrap are the main expressions of this wine with some aeration in the glass, after ten or fifteen minutes, it offers floral notes, lavender and again rich spices. This wine has a commanding presence upon opening and requires some patience – 5 to 7 years at least or over an hour decanting – to unveil its complexity and concentration.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
Bordeaux-like in its mix of flavors and structure, offering loamy earth, dried currant and berry, with touches of anise, sage and mineral. Ends with firm, dry tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2010 through 2016.
Other Vintages
2014-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Suckling
James
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Guide
Connoisseurs' -
Parker
Robert
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert
Born in Argentina, Delia Viader came to the United States after spending many years in Europe. In 1986 the love of wine Delia acquired during her time in Europe lead her to purchase a 25 acre property 1200 feet above the Napa Valley floor northeast of St. Helena on the steep, rocky slopes of Howell Mountain. During this time when 99% of Napa’s vineyards were planted on the valley floor, Delia was considered a bit crazy-headed to plant vineyards in such foreboding terroir. But it was exactly terroir that she was after.
Delia’s first release was a proprietary red blend from the 1989 vintage called simply Viader with a blend of almost equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The wine quickly gained an international reputation as one of the iconic wines of the Napa Valley and has become the signature wine for the winery.
With the release of the 2003 vintage the winery introduced the Dare label; a group of varietally labeled wines which are produced from a selection of estate fruit along with fruit sourced from their neighbors and friends. Current releases include a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and a Tempranillo.
While raising four children on her own, Delia forged the vision and design for this unique estate vineyard property, wine blend and brand. In the last few years, Delia’s children have come back to help manage and operate the business making this a true family concern. Alan Viader is Director of Operations and Winemaking, Janet Viader is Director of Marketing and Sales. Mariela Viader (married to Alan) is in charge of the Culinary Program.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.