ON THE NOSE:
Yeah, you know, some nice dark cherry here, ripe plum, dust and smoke, tobacco, coffee, and later some nice chocolate and some eggnog aspects; all in all this is a very, very nice nose. This smells like a decent quality Cab – classic, typical, yet nothing to make it stand out from the crowd.
ON THE PALATE:
Cherry, some pencil lead, nice and dry, good tannins, though not over the top. Nothing is over the top. There is oak here too, and thankfully that is not over the top either. Somewhat refined, but something about this wine simply refuses to stand up and ask one to notice it. It’s good. It’s pleasant. It’s boring. It is relatively one-dimensional. The nose is wonderful, better than the actual palate, which is a little sour for our tastes. Again, this a nice Cab, but nothing outstanding, and perhaps worth $20, not $36. As the night moves on this wine actually loses some focus as opposed to gaining complexity, although a nice plum characteristic is evident that was only in the nose earlier. This was admittedly a grocery-store buy, one of their top-shelf selections. Once more: pleasant, certainly not objectionable, pretty nose, uneventful!
(Click here for an explanation of our ratings ...)
Our Rating: 88
Would we drink it again? 
Yes, sure.
Would we buy it again? 
No, certainly not at this price point; even at $20 I would hesitate.
Winemaker's notes
HESS MOUNT VEEDER WINES
The wines of Hess Mount Veeder reflect Donald Hess’ vision of mountain wines with
winemaking and grape growing working hand in hand to extract the best expressions
of mountain fruit. These wines display balance and elegance with ample strength and
structure to age. Mount Veeder is the coolest, southern most mountain district in Napa
and has both a volcanic and geologically unique soil that only occurs in this mountain
AVA. The unique attributes of the soils, exposures and altitude create wines that reveal
the mountain’s distinct personality.
MOUNT VEEDER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
From Veeder Hills vineyards with altitudes of 600 – 1120 feet, this wine is a powerful,
brambly and structured mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that pairs well with robust dishes
and grilled meats.
WINEMAKER COMMENTS
The aroma expresses cassis, molasses, milk chocolate, black berry, and black cherry followed
by briary notes of sweet loganberry and oak-cedar. On the palate the wine is layered with
the same fruit characters and dark chocolate with chewy tannins and a medium bodied mid
palate that build through the fi nish. Great age worthy potential.
About the Napa Valley Region
The Napa Valley wine region is located 50 miles north of San Francisco California, and is known around the world as the premium wine-growing region in North America. More than 250 wineries call Napa Valley home, making this the most densely concentrated wine region in the world. Its Mediterranean climate and the skill of its winemakers contribute to its popularity as a tourist destination and to the world-wide success of its wines.
Climate and Geography
The Napa Valley stretches around 50 km from north to south, and 8 km from east to west at its widest point. To the west the valley is bounded by forest, and to the east by the dry and rugged Vaca range. The climate is primarily Mediterranean, with warm dry summers and wet cool winters. Rain is rare during the growing season, with most occurring between October and May. The fog which characterises the region keeps the vines cool and maintains the natural acidity in the fruit. A history of volcanic eruptions and earth movements means that soils are diverse.
Types of Wine and Grapes
This region is renowned for the extraordinary diversity of appellations and wine styles. From intensely concentrated and flavoursome cabernet sauvignons, ripe and fruity pinot noirs and the ever popular spicy zinfandels to rich creamy chardonnays and even sauternes style botrytis affected dessert wines.
