Winemaker Notes
The 1998 vintage of this wine was ranked #3 on the Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines of 2001
The VIADER blend captures an ideal balance between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc contributes to the early approachability, elegant structure and violet-like aromatics while the Cabernet Sauvignon adds complexity and character as well as providing the backbone structure for long aging potential. VIADER is made from the finest selection of our hillside estate on Howell Mountain.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This lush wine epitomizes the modern Napa style of soft richness and extreme drinkability when young. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it's beautiful now for its blackberry, black currant, dark chocolate and cedar flavors. For all its approachability, it should age well for the next six to eight years.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
This complex and decidedly sophisticated effort comes without the slightest suggestion of swagger, and it is instead a compact and keenly balanced bottling that only gradually gives up its gifts. It smacks of cherries, ripe raspberries and currants with glimmers of sweet cream and cola showing up here and there, and, if overtaken by eleventh-hour astringency just now, its ample fruit exhibits fine staying power and is a guarantor of a decade or more of certain improvement.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2007, a similar blend, is made in the same mold, with striking elegance, slightly sweeter fruit, and more aromatic ripeness and projection, thanks to better vintage material. This is a well-balanced, understated, gracious wine to drink now and over the next 15 years.
BMC107840_2007 Item# 107840