Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Firm, rich and chunky, with dense, mocha-laced currant, wild berry and blackberry flavors that are full-bodied and rustic in texture, with a notable mineral and crushed rock quality, followed by a finish that combines tannic strength with fruit persistence. Drink now through 2022. 1,480 cases made.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Interestingly enough, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder was also closed. However, it didn't take long to coax some spice box, cedar, cassis, truffle, and chocolate out of the aromas. In the mouth, the wine is dense, full-bodied, but again, very tannic, almost atypically so for a 2007. I would forget it for at least 3-4 years and drink it over the following two decades. 93+
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Elements of black cherries, cassis, sweet oak and a bare hint of briar combine nicely in the nose here, and the wine follows suit in the mouth even if picking up a noticeable boost in ripeness. Full, slightly fleshy and unconcerned with finesse, it runs into a bit of latter-palate coarseness and heat that combine to make us believe that its best mealtime partner will be hearty hunks of well-seasoned beef.
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.