94
Pts
Tasting notes
Mt. Veeder is known for producing fruit with intense tannins that result in age-worthy wines of distinction. Brighter red fruit led by wild mountain raspberry, bright cherry and darker fruits including blackberry are framed with oak spice, vanilla and caramel from the new oak. Wild yet refined, the grippy tannins give way to a wine with great structure and balance, solid acidity and a vibrant finish that lingers. This will continue to evolve and reveal itself over the next decade.
Technical information
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley
Alcohol
14.9%
Vintage
A near perfect season, welcomed after several tense vintages, began with abundant February rains followed by drying sun and weather that allowed for even flowering and bud break. The slightly later start was followed by consistently ideal weather. It turned a bit cool in August, mild in September, allowing fruit to evolve. Patience and careful attention to the vineyard was rewarded with fruit of excellent ripeness, well balanced tannins and complexity. Generally, normal to heavier fruit clusters were evident on the vine with great flavor intensity. On average, pick dates were two weeks later than normal.
Vineyard
The Yates Family vineyard is found moderately high, just above the town of Napa, planted at an elevation of 1,100 feet. Mt. Veeder is one of Napa’s most unique AVAs, the southernmost and coolest growing region, known for an extended growing season and volcanic soils with a variety of micro climates. The vineyard is found at the end of Redwood Road, near the Archer Taylor Preserve managed by the Land Trust of Napa Valley. Vineyards were first planted here in the 1860s.