Editing and enjoying the 2010 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon

I love blogging about wine, but it’s not the only writing I do...

As a writer, I have always been encouraged to write what I know. It was sometime in December 2011 when I started a novel. Because I was living in Yountville at the time, it was the logical setting for my story. I wrote about dating and drinking wine in the Napa Valley—two topics I know well.

In the second draft, I flexed my creative muscles and developed the main character, meaning I made stuff up. This is not an autobiography; it is contemporary women’s fiction (yes, that’s a genre!). The third draft was all about adding wine references and a few wine-savvy personalities to support the main character—a wine novice—on her wine-soaked path to self-discovery.

The development of this story and the writing process itself has been inspired and fueled by many glasses of wine. After working with a wonderful editor, Susan K Cole, I am currently polishing the final draft with hopes of self-publishing my ebook on Amazon soon. For updates on the official ebook launch and other fun fiction tidbits, please like my new Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/AuthorCortney and follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AuthorCortney.

Who knows where I would be in my writing process without wine. Last night with a glass of the 2010 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, I edited the 22^nd chapter.

At $25/bottle, this is a tasty weeknight Cabernet and pretty affordable by Napa standards. The nose offers aromas of dark berries and oak spice. Concentrated and bold, this Cab has a lush mouthfeel and well-integrated tannins. With ripe blackberry flavors, dark chocolate notes, and the tiniest whisper of black licorice, this is a young wine with a lot of potential. Over the next six months, it will benefit from decanting and don’t forget to give it a good swirl. Cheers!

Notes from the Mount Veeder Spring Tasting

Set at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio, with a beautiful backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge on a crystal-clear afternoon, the Mount Veeder AVA Spring Tasting was a very civilized event. I appreciated the small, intimate nature of the venue (compared to the overwhelming vastness of Fort Mason). It wasn’t crowded and most of the winery representatives were the owners and winemakers (which is not usually the case at some of the bigger tastings).

 

Mount Veeder Summit

 Most of the producers at this event were teeny-tiny, some only produce a few hundred cases, many of which were new to my taste buds.  I was impressed by almost everything I tried. What can I say…I’ve always been a fan of mountain fruit.

I started in one corner of the room with Chateau Potelle. I really enjoyed the 2009 Illegitimate ($37) from the Explorer collection. A crazy blend of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 17% Zinfandel, and 11% Syrah, this wine is aromatic and full-bodied with bright fruit flavors and terrific food pairing potential. I can’t wait to check out their new tasting room in St. Helena!

I really enjoyed the two selections from Hess Collection. The 2009 19 Block Cuvee ($38) is a blend of mostly Cabernet (63%) and Malbec (20%) with a little Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot. It is plush and powerful with velvety tannins and delicious dark berry notes. Although I can see how the 2009 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon ($55)—82% Cab, 14% Malbec, 2% Merlot, 2% PV—could be cellared for many years to come, it’s already very approachable with all the ripe red fruit and concentration I expect from a mountain-grown wine. Both of these wines will only get better with time.

I was also charmed by the 2009 Y Rousseau Cabernet Sauvignon “Le Roi Soleil” ($65). This is a small producer that has recently doubled its production. Yannick Rousseau, founder and winemaker, also makes Russian River Valley Tannat, Mount Veeder Chardonnay, Sonoma Cab, and Colombard. The new tasting room will open in Napa soon. Check out their website for more info.

If you’re a Cab Franc fan like me, you’ll love the 2009 Yates Cheval ($48)! Delicious and dark and 100% Cab Franc, this beauty offers black cherry, plum, and spice. The Yates Family Vineyard is a family affair—Michael and Lynn Yates own the vineyards and the winery is staffed by their daughters Whitney (assistant winemaker) and Mary (CFO) and son-in-law Todd (sales and marketing). They also produce Merlot, Cab, and the super tasty Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc blend, the 2009 Alden Perry Reserve ($65).

Lampyridae Vineyards is another itty-bitty producer on the mountain with a well-known winemaker, Aaron Pott. The 2010 Communication Block Cabernet Sauvignon is very tasty. It’s a wine project that supports a local charity which promotes academic achievement for children who have severe communication needs. Awwww!

Wow, normally I don’t have this many wines to rave about from a single tasting, but I also have to mention the Foyt and Meadowcroft Cabernets. These delicious wines are showcased at Corner Stone in Sonoma.

 

Last but not least, the three wines (Malbec, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon) from Mt. Brave Winery are all gorgeous. The Malbec ($75) was particularly appealing; this dark-purple beauty is concentrated with raspberry and cassis flavors with a full and luxurious palate.

A special thank you to the Mount Veeder Council for putting this awesome tasting together. More info about Mount Veeder AVA wines can be found on their website. Cheers!