Robert Craig Cellars Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
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The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder comes from an 1,800-foot elevation vineyard in the Mayacamas Mountains. This seems to be the biggest, densest, most backward of the wines, with a boatload of tannins still to resolve, but with glorious levels of blueberry and blackberry fruit. There’s something about these Mount Veeder Cabernets: when they’re good, they’re super-good. It has considerable tannin and structure as well as an opaque purple color. It is full-bodied, exhibits tremendous potential, and should age beautifully for 15 or more years. This is a stunning wine, but, of all the Robert Craig 2012s, the one that requires the most patience. Forget it for 3-4 years and drink it over the following 15-20.
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There’s plenty of Mt. Veeder power to this cabernet, driving the red and black currant flavor forward, leaving a tracer of fruit in its wake. A memory of sage, lavender and juniper brings you back for another taste, with a spark of acidity that keeps it mouthwatering. A little youthful and jangly for now, this will benefit from five years of bottle age.
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A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
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.