Winemaker Notes
A dark and lush wine with intense aromas of dark fruit and rose petals. This wine's in it for the long haul. The family ties to Syrah are evident but there's no confusing them. This ancient Savoie variety likes this place a lot.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Mondeuse is the grandparent of Syrah. Lagier Meredith thought it would be interesting to expose it to the same conditions for growing as Syrah as an exercise to compare the inherent characteristics of the varieties. In fact, their vineyard is believed to be the only place in the world where these two grapes are grown together. These vines were planted in 2007. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Mondeuse features red and black plums, stewed tea, raspberries and fragrant earth with a touch of mossy bark. Medium-bodied with a nice, fleshy mid-palate, it has rounded tannins and an earthy finish.
One of the oldest and distinctive red grape varieties of Savoie, Mondeuse is showing great potential as global demand for this rare wine grows. Some of the best Mondeuse comes from the Bugey region or is sold as a varietal Vin de Savoie, often from a particular cru. Somm Secret—DNA profiling has confirmed that Mondeuse and Syrah are related. The two have a lot of common characteristics, namely a dense color with black fruit on the palate and herbal or spicy aromas.
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.