Jade Mountain Mt Veeder Paras Vineyard Syrah 1999
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Robert
Parker
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- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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2001-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Wine &
Spirits
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Wine &
Spirits
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Robert
Parker
Paras Vineyard, Jade Mountain's flagship vineyard, rests on the upper slopes of Mount Veeder, overlooking the Napa Valley. With rocky vine terraces and eastern exposures reminiscent of the finest Northern Rhône vineyards, Paras Vineyard grows Syrah and other Rhône grapes of truly exciting quality. From this and other select vineyards, Jade Mountain creates Syrah, Mourvèdre, Viognier and a proprietary southern Rhône-style blend called La Provençale
Jade Mountain uses only the highest-quality grapes and practices traditional winemaking techniques to produce wines displaying intense fruit and spice and silky smoothness on the palate. These wines are appealing in their youth as well as eminently age-worthy.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Centered at the peak for which it is named, Mount Veeder is Napa’s largest sub-AVA. But even though the entire appellation spreads over 16,000 acres, vineyards cover a mere 1,000. Scattered among Douglas firs and bristlecone pines, Mount Veeder vineyards extend south from the upper elevations of the Mayacamas Mountains—the highest point at 2,400 feet—to the border of the Carneros region. Less than 25 wineries produce wine from Mount Veeder fruit.
Winemaking began early in this appellation. In 1864, Captain Stelham Wing presented the first Mount Veeder wine to the Napa County Fair; it came from today’s Wing Canyon Vineyard. Prohibition, of course, halted winemaking and viticulture wasn’t revitalized until the founding of Mayacamas Vineyards in 1951 and Bernstein Vineyards in 1964.
The Bernstein Vineyards was actually home to the first Petit Verdot in California, planted in 1975. Today most of the Petit Verdot in Napa Valley originates from this vineyard.
Rocky volcanic clay and ancient seabed matter dominate Mount Veeder soils—perfect for Bordeaux varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot enjoy spectacular success. These varieties produce wines rich in brambly blackberry and black cherry fruit with herbal and floral aromatics. Structures are moderate to assertive and wines have great staying power.
Chardonnay from Mount Veeder is lush, full and balanced mineral and fresh citrus flavors.