Mt. Veeder

Inky purple, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is powerful and concentrated with cassis, spice, cedar and slight char.  Semi-lush texture.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this has cassis, chocolate, slight chalky note (which is interesting) along with some forest floor notes and a touch of char.  Long finish.  This seems to be drinking well now and although it likely won't improve, should drink at peak for another ten to fifteen years.  Very nice on its own, this should work well with many dishes (except sea food).  It would be nice with Cassoulet.  

This is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot made with Estate grown fruit.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, clay, slight plums, spice and slight chocolate.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Complex and deep.  It could use some time to develop.  It will improve with some cellaring but should drink well for ten to fifteen more years.  This would go nicely with Grilled Stuffed Portobellos.  

Inky purple in color, shimmering bright.  The nose is big with cassis, dust and spice.  Great texture.  Very tannic.  On the palate, flavors of cassis, chocolate, graphite and char.  Long finish.  This is open and delicious.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Classic Cabernet pairings would work well but also maybe a Mushroom Risotto.  

A new winery for me, but this is excellent.  In a recent tasting of Mountain cabs it finished first.   It is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet France, 7% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis cedar and spice.  Full bodied.

This vineyard was sold recently and as soon as the wines are also sold, they will retire.  That is a shame as they make very nice wines for very fair prices on top of Mt. Veeder.  Purple in color with a thin ruby lip, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats and herbs and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is not a bit wine, but plenty of black raspberry fruit along with some char.  Good finish.  On the young side, this should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  It worked very nice with Palak Paneer.  

Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is pretty with peaches and honeydew along with a touch of spice.  Lovely full bodied rich texture.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is a big wine but with pin point precision if that makes sense.  The peaches and honey dew come thru.  Nice finish.  Drinking youthfully but ready to go.  Drink over the next ten years.  This is great on its own and will work well with heavier foods such as Roast Duck.  It might even go nicely with a steak if that's what you like.  

Located on Mount Veeder, Brandlin is the sister winery of Cuvaison. In the very capable hands of winemaker Steve Rogstad, his 2021 offers classic notes of light kiwi, lemon-lime zest, gooseberry, light resin, tart green apple and a whisper of butterscotch. This expresses what people want in Sauvignon Blanc – something light, crisp, and fresh. But Brandlin adds a bit of texture to the wine due to fermenting in large French oak barrels, then aging 11 months in oak (just half the barrels were new) to add a noticeable viscosity.

This winery recently sold.  While the former owners, Napa legends Carole Meredith and Steve Lagier, are entitled to work a bit less, the wines will be missed.  Quality Syrah (and others) at very fair pricing.  This one is no exception.  2009 was a good vintage provided the grapes were harvested before the early fall rains.  It would appear these were.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black pepper, slight gamey meats.  Medium to full bodied.  Very concentrated.  On the palate, light tannins.  Plenty of black raspberry fruit with some black pepper

Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is very tight, but with air it shows cassis, blueberries, spice and slight mocha notes.  full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Very concentrated.  On the palate, black cherries, cassis, blueberries and mocha.  A bit of menthol on the finish.  Long finish.  This needs time or a few hours in a decanter but it is quite good.  Maybe another three to five years of cellaring and drink for fifteen to twenty after that.  Great on its own, it will need big, fatty foods such as prime rib. 

Excellent showing.  At age 14, this is just about at peak and showing nice maturity with some youth as well.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Opaque and mostly bright.  The nose has boysenberries, slight black cherry, black pepper and char.  Full bodied.  The firm tannins of it's youth are mostly resolved at this point but present.