Mount Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2018

Tasting Notes: Deep cherry, black plum, and caramel with hints of dried sage and cedar. Ripe blackberry and cherry preserves framed by mocha and baking spices. Layers of abundant fruit, dried herbs, and sweet oak. Seamless, integrated tannins create a rich structure and reflect a mountain personality. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 3% Merlot

Vineyard Notes: The vines woke up slowly in 2018 but set a healthy crop. Plenty of winter rain recharged the soil. A cool spring with late-season showers transitioned to a moderate summer where morning fog provided a slow, steady march to veraison. With no heat spikes and warm, sunny fall days, clusters enjoyed extended time on the vine, developing complex flavors, balanced acidity, and refined tannins. Oak Knoll Merlot, harvested September 9, were the first grapes picked for the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Harvest on Mount Veeder began on September 24 with Malbec from both Rosenquist and the North Ranch. The final grapes from Mount Veeder were picked from the Winery Ranch on October 27.

Winemaker Notes: Our Mount Veeder vines speak a language all their own. Becoming fluent in that language, fully understanding all its subtleties and nuance is the trick to making great wine from mountain vineyards. Over the years, we have come to know the contours, dips, and ridges of the mountain and the sequence of ripening that is the key to it all. A Mount Veeder harvest is a Zen-like art of moving across a three-dimensional chessboard. Take the uphill side of the vine only, or the downhill side, or just the north, south, east, or west section. We pick only what’s ready and at peak flavor and ripeness. It’s a complex endeavor, and needs to be carved with precision, matching areas of the block that are at the same level of ripeness, and leaving other areas to mature another week or more.