Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/133302
Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon Of Napa Valley's five mountain AVAs, Mount Veeder is unique in several ways, making this group of Cabernet-dominant wines a real apples-to-apples comparison. Winegrowing on Mount Veeder, Napa's largest AVA, is confined to a mere 1,000 acres. The region's shallow soils are primarily sandstone and shale from an ancient uplifted sea floor with volcanic soils like those found in neighboring mountain AVAs only at the highest elevations. Westerly winds from the San Pablo Bay keep temperatures during the growing season 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the valley floor with less fluctuation. The supple, fine-grained tannins that are so characteristic of Mount Veeder wines are largely attributed to these conditions. With more than 500 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, this variety is certainly king of the mountain, but a wide range of microclimates allows for two dozen varieties, many planted in parcels smaller than an acre, to coexist side by side. To its credit, the AVA was home to Napa's first plantings of Petit Verdot and produced the first Meritage blend using all five Bordeaux grape varieties. The wines selected include vintages from 2007 to 2010, chosen from producers at the Mount Veeder Spring Tasting held at San Francisco's Presidio Golden Gate Club on April 10. As a whole, they exemplify the delicious characteristics that put this AVA on the map. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Smoky cedar and graphite; precise with deep black fruit and lifted finish. $75 Bittersweet chocolate; seamless black fruit around a mineral core. $70 Leather and black raspberry; tight with chalky tannins and minty close. $55 Ripe berries and graphite; cedar-infused red fruit, lean cranberry finish. $150 Rich black cherry aromas; expressive mid-palate and well-knit oak. $60 Bright cassis; lifted black fruit on the mid palate; sleek and lively. $50 Intense bramble and crisp, driving flavors; medium body; ideal with food. $65 Smoky, dried herbs with cavernous red and black fruit; notes of vanilla. $70 Perfumed, savory red and black fruit, silky tannins and vanilla finish. $60 Vanilla, graphite, youthful black fruit, silky texture and black spice. $95 The Reveal Imported by Vineyard Brands, Inc. Birmingham, AL. 1. Vinoce 2009; 2. Robert Craig 2010; 3. Hess 2009; 4. Progeny Special Selection Reserve 2007; 5. Rubissow 2008; 6. Renteria Tambor Vineyard 2008; 7 Y. Rousseau Wines Le Roi Soleil 2009; 8. Paratus Vineyards 2009; . 9. Trinchero Napa Valley Cloud's Nest Vineyard 2009; 10. Anthem Winery & Vineyards 2009. june 2013 / the tasting panel / 65 TP0613_042-79.indd 65 5/23/13 4:33 PM