Winemaker Notes
The 2022 Mt. Veeder from Heir Apparent captures the essence of mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, it offers an excellent tannic grip that is firm yet elegant, framing the wine's depth and age-worthiness. Layers of ripe blackberry, dark plum, and blackcurrant create a rich fruit core, complemented by hints of crushed graphite and nuanced minerality. Subtle notes of vanilla, cedar, and warm spices from aging in French oak barrels elevate the complexity, culminating in a long, well balanced finish with remarkable freshness and finesse.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
My first time tasting the Heir Apparent Wines, I was pretty impressed! The 2022 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon brings the boldness of this AVA to life, yet it stays supple and alluring on the palate. This wine offers aromas and flavors of concentrated cassis, delicate spices, and a trace of oak. Try it with a juicy slice of prime rib. (Tasted: March 6, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
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James Suckling
Full-bodied, smooth and nicely structured with savory-edged aromas of blackberries, plums, dried herbs and crushed rocks. The palate delivers dark fruit, graphite and subtle tobacco with firm yet polished tannins and bright acidity. Balanced and persistent with a mineral-toned finish. Drink or hold.
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Decanter
Handcrafted from high-elevation vineyards in the Mount Veeder appellation, this wine shares similarities with the regular Mount Veeder bottling but offers a touch more polish and gentler tannins. Dark-toned currant fruit mingles harmoniously with cola spices and capsicum, creating a vibrant and flavourful profile. Juicy and satisfying, it carries a lovely sweetness and warmth characteristic of the growing season, yet remains remarkably easy-going. This wine pairs beautifully with spiced red meats or dishes featuring peppercorn sauces, making it a versatile and approachable choice.
Made with love in Napa Valley, the family behind Heir Apparent prides itself on cultivating a sustainable and responsible approach to viticulture. Like a vibrant family, fine wine is a living tale, nurtured with unwavering devotion. It's a journey of care, never hurried; a challenge that earns the sweetest rewards. From rugged soil, the vines burst forth with vigor, a tribute to the very essence of life.
One of the hallmarks of Heir Apparent is its commitment to showcasing the unique characteristics of various Napa Valley appellations. Napa Valley is known for its diverse microclimates and terroirs, which offer the team an incredible palate of flavors and aromas to work with. Heir Apparent seizes this opportunity by producing special releases of wines from different appellations, each with its distinct identity.
They firmly believe that the true heirs to the rich winemaking tradition are the extraordinary customers who have the privilege of experiencing the meticulously crafted wines. The winery's unwavering commitment to uncompromising quality and innate ability to capture the quintessence of Napa Valley in every bottle make Heir Apparent wines a cherished choice among discerning wine enthusiasts and collectors alike.
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.