Mount Veeder Appellation Autumn Festival VI
The Hess Collection Winery
Tasted Saturday, October 30, 2004 by ars3 with 543 views
Introduction
This is the event for people who like mountain wines. 15 wineries were represented plus the host winery The Hess Collection provided their beautiful courtyard as the venue. Weather was perfect, high 60's on a cloudless day.
Flight 1 - Chateau Potelle--Rugged natural beauty, breathhtaking views and distincive mountain flavor
2001 Chardonnay VGS
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon
Flight 2 - Peter Franus--Special wines that distinguish themselves with stylish, distinctive personalities
2002 Zinfandel--Brandlin Vineyard
Flight 3 - Godspeed--Hillside vineyard located at an average elevation of 1500 feet above the valley
1999,2000,2001 Chardonnay
2998,2999 Cabernnet Sauvignon
Flight 4 - Jade Mountain--Paras Vineyard sits at the 1,200-foot elevation on the eastern side of rocky Mount Veeder, overlooking the Napa Valley
2001 Syrah--Paras Vineyard
2003 Viognier--Paras Vineyard
2003 Grenache
Flight 5 - Lagier-Meredith--spicy and concentrated Syrah from a small vineyard on the slopes of Mount Veeder overlooking the Napa Valley
2001,2002 Syrah
Flight 6 - Lokoya--embodies the soul of the mountains and benchlands that flank the Napa Valley
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
Flight 7 - Mayacamas--old stone winery is perched on the edge of a dormant volcano crater, near the top of Mt. Veeder
1999 Merlot
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon
Flight 8 - Mount Veeder Winery--Planted at elevations of 1000 to 1600 feet these vineyards are above the fog bank and exposed to gentle morning sun,while protected from afternoon heat
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Flight 9 - Napa Redwood Estate--located between the Napa and Sonoma Valleys this hilly district, nine miles west of the town of Napa, was known as the "Redwoods" in the early 1900s
2001 Alden Perry Reserve
2001 Merlot
Flight 10 - Random Ridge--located near an ancient caldera on Mount Veeder, this family-owned operation offers cabernet and sangiovese blends
1999 Cabernet (50% Cabernet Sauvignon/50% Cabernet Franc)
2001 Fortunata (80% sangiovese, 10% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc)
Flight 11 - Robert Craig Wine Cellars--"two mountains and a valley"
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon
Flight 12 - Rubissow~Sargent--handmade wines enjoy acclaim for their elegance, complexity and consistent Mount Veeder terroir
1999 Trompettes (Cabernet Frtanc/Merlot)
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon
2000 Merlot
2000 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Flight 13 - Sky Vineyard--red volcanic soil, excellent water drainage, steep hillsides, constant air movement and eastern exposure
2000 Zinfandel
Flight 14 - Vinoce--high above the Napa Valley, affording not only stunning views but a longer and cooler growing season above the morning fog
2001 Cabernet Franc Blend (50% Cabernnet Franc/30% Cabernet Sauvignon/20% Merlot)
Flight 15 - Wing Canyon--west facing, 1/3 steep and 2/3 gentle slopes
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon
2001 "Lolita" Merlot
Closing
Host The Hess Collection poured 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2002 Mountain Cuvee a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Syrah, 14%Merlot, 6% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc. Both were excellent and the snacks provided were tasty. We especially liked the duck comfit on toast. Most of these wineries are small and this was a great chance to meet the owners and winemakers. Even Constellation Brands that owns Mt Veeder Winery showed how they can deal with small Wineries. I hope they can buy Robert Mondavi.