Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

This is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder, a high-elevation appellation in the Mayacamas Mountains on the western side of the valley. Martin Ray sources it from a high-elevation site on the northern side of Mount Veeder — a small 6.5-acre vineyard planted to optimise sun exposure, on soils of gravel-based shale and sandstone.

The house style is to ferment in small 4-6 ton open-top fermenters, hold moderate temperatures until dry, then basket press gently, with ageing in 50% new French oak for around 18 months. In the winery's own recent tasting note the parcel gives rich mountain

fruit with distinctive herbaceous layers and a powerful structure, showing crème de cassis and ripe blackberry with violet and dark chocolate, bold and densely structured with vibrant acidity.