Nose
Deep, dark and cool with classic varietal cassis with inky ripe
fruits, charcoal, aniseed, mint and rolled tobacco. Plush rich
and intense with a freshness and clarity of fruit.
Palate
Fine graphite
like tannins provide a distinct backbone to the complex and
vibrant black fruit characters. Long fine elegant and intense.
Growing Conditions
Our Mount Veeder property was first purchased and planted to
Champagne varietals in the early 1980’s. Over the last 20 years
the majority of the property has been replanted to Cabernet
Sauvignon. The vineyard is situated in the Mayacamas Mountains
on the Western edge of the Napa Valley on steep southern
aspects at altitudes between 750-1250 feet. The altitude and
close proximity to the cooling influence from San Pablo bay
produce the longest growing season of all the Napa Valley Sub
Regions. The soil is of sedimentary origin and very well drained
capturing the minerality and vibrancy of Cabernet Sauvignon
most accurately with wines characterized by a most intense black
currant fruit and firm sinewy graphite structures.
The drought that has impacted much of California from 2012
continued to keep rainfall levels below 50% of average and
maintained growing season heat summation above average for the
harvest. The warm and dry conditions promoted excellent quality
and when combined with above average yields the potential of the
2014 vintage is outstanding across all varieties. A wine which will reveal itself slowly over time and benefit those
who can resist the temptation. A wine that can be kept for the
next generation.
Harvest
Harvest Dates: October 8 - 11, 2014
Winemaking
The 2014 Mount Veeder was a selection of blocks 203, 209, 212,
231, 240 with an average vine age of 17 years. Once harvested,
the grapes were hand-sorted to inspect individual berries. The
must was then fermented in separate lots and barrel aged for 12
months before being blended and returned to barrel for further
maturation.
