Winemaker Notes
This wine offers a heady perfume of deep black plum, currant, cocoa and cassis, enlivened by Bordeaux-style notes of graphite, tobacco and cedar. Mt. Veeder black fruit, sweet cassis, currant and cocoa powder flow across the palate, underlain with pencil lead, lively mineral notes and a hint of burning embers. A huge, persistent core of deep black cherry and berry powers through the finish, bolstered by fine-grained mountain tannins and enlivened by bracing acidity. This is among the most age-worthy of Robert Craig's mountain Cabernets.
Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
From one of my favorite terroirs in the valley, the saturated purple-colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder (76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot) is a violet-tinged, blueberry, sage brush, charcoal, and menthol scented 2015 that offers full-bodied richness, a notable minerality, good mid-palate density and a beautiful finish. Closed, backward, yet impressively concentrated on the palate, it's a beautiful wine that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years, and it should keep for two decades.
Rating: 93+
-
James Suckling
Aromas of blackberry and blueberry with crushed stone. Full body, soft and silky tannins and a fruity finish. A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon and 24% merlot. Drink in 2020.
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.