Winemaker Notes
Lampyridae, “firefly” in Latin, is Napa’s highest vineyard at approximately 2,400 feet elevation. This picturesque vineyard is high above the fog layer and has longer hours of sunshine and warmer nights, but days are cooler than the lower elevation vineyards. On clear days you can see all the way to San Francisco. One of the newest vineyards in the Private Reserve line-up, it shows incredible depth of flavor and intense, unique black fruit characters. The 2015 Mount Veeder Lampyridae Vineyard Cabernet was aged for 20 months in 88% new French oak barrels. Careful attention is paid to vineyard blocks, which are kept separate and vinified with a goal of extracting maximum flavor.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Lampyridae Vineyard leaps from the glass with crushed blueberries and black currant notes over hints of Provence herbs, tapenade, pencil lead and black soil plus a touch of aniseed. Full-bodied, firm, muscular and almost impenetrable at this youthful stage, it offers glimpses at the blue fruit and earthy layers waiting to emerge, finishing with persistent pepper and fired herbs notes. Consider forgetting this one in the cellar for 3-4 years and drinking it over the next 15+.
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James Suckling
Characters of intense purple fruits and purple olive tapenade. This has an edge of mint and roasted herbs with sweeter oak spices and a deep set slate-like minerality. The palate has a rounder feel with a thread of rich plums, black cherries and chocolate. Some cola-like notes to close. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
Supple and generous midpalate, offering a core of complex dark berry, black licorice, dried herb, cedar and gravelly earth flavors. Worthy of cellaring, as the structure stands up to the core richness. Best from 2020 through 2031.
As California's longest continuously operating winery, Beringer has been defining Napa Valley winemaking since it was founded by Jacob and Frederick Beringer in 1876. By continuing that pioneering spirit, Beringer established many 'firsts' as leaders in the wine industry. They were one of the first gravity fed facilities and among the first to operate using hand dug caves and cellars. Beringer were the first to give public tours in 1934, starting a Napa Valley hospitality tradition. They are the first and only winery to have both a red and a white wine named #1 Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine. Today, they proudly celebrate and remain true to their pioneering legacy.
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.