Winemaker Notes
Blend: 83% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Sauvignon Gris, 7% Sémillon
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of 83% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Sauvignon Gris and 7% Sémillon fermented 17% in new oak, 48% in neutral oak and 35% in concrete, the 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Mt. Veeder has quite an earthy/mineral nose to begin, featuring notes of wet pebbles, chalk dust and damp moss over a core of ripe peaches, lemon curd and dried herbs. The medium to full-bodied palate has great vivacity and depth, sporting a beautifully chewy phenolic texture and rasping backbone of acidity to support the intense citrus and herbal flavors, finishing on a lingering chalky note. Still very youthful, forget it for a year or two and drink it over the next 10-12 years+.
Rating: 94+ -
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Sauvignon Blanc is cut from the same cloth as the 2015 with its vibrant, racy, mineral-driven style. Green citrus, grapefruit, crushed rock, hints of matchstick and orange blossom all emerge from this gorgeous white that has solid concentration, bright acidity and a great finish.
Rating: 93+ -
Wine Spectator
Shows an appealing sense of style and restraint, featuring citrus and pear flavors, accented by notes of lanolin and beeswax. Offers spice and dried floral details and a savory, saline thread, with crisp acidity. Drink now.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
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.