Robert Craig Cellars Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
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Jeb
Dunnuck
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The 2018 Amentet Vineyard Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon is simply a massive, iconic example of what is possible in the Mount Veeder AVA. Dried cocoa flake, pencil shavings, cassis, dark floral undertones and mineral accents all emerge from the glass after a couple of minutes of air. The tannin structure is profound, but the tannins remain juicy, round and well developed so that the wine enjoys a seamless weight on the palate and a finish the extends beyond expectation. We are beyond excited to offer this wine up to our customers after a missed vintage.
Blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder comes from the Amentet Vineyard and is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Its deep purple/blue color is followed by a powerful, structured wine that gives up beautiful black and blue fruits, notes of graphite, crushed rock, lavender, and tobacco, a medium to full-bodied, concentrated mouthfeel, and a great finish. This beautiful mountain Cabernet needs 4-5 years of bottle age but should keep for 20-25+ years.
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A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Centered at the peak for which it is named, Mount Veeder is Napa’s largest sub-AVA. But even though the entire appellation spreads over 16,000 acres, vineyards cover a mere 1,000. Scattered among Douglas firs and bristlecone pines, Mount Veeder vineyards extend south from the upper elevations of the Mayacamas Mountains—the highest point at 2,400 feet—to the border of the Carneros region. Less than 25 wineries produce wine from Mount Veeder fruit.
Winemaking began early in this appellation. In 1864, Captain Stelham Wing presented the first Mount Veeder wine to the Napa County Fair; it came from today’s Wing Canyon Vineyard. Prohibition, of course, halted winemaking and viticulture wasn’t revitalized until the founding of Mayacamas Vineyards in 1951 and Bernstein Vineyards in 1964.
The Bernstein Vineyards was actually home to the first Petit Verdot in California, planted in 1975. Today most of the Petit Verdot in Napa Valley originates from this vineyard.
Rocky volcanic clay and ancient seabed matter dominate Mount Veeder soils—perfect for Bordeaux varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot enjoy spectacular success. These varieties produce wines rich in brambly blackberry and black cherry fruit with herbal and floral aromatics. Structures are moderate to assertive and wines have great staying power.
Chardonnay from Mount Veeder is lush, full and balanced mineral and fresh citrus flavors.