Mount Brave Mt. Veeder Merlot 2018

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Mount Brave
Label Name:
 
Mt. Veeder Merlot
Vintage:
 
2018
Country:
 
United States
Region:
 
Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, California
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.5%
Grape(s):
 
Merlot
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Jeb Dunnuck 95; James Suckling 95; Wine Advocate 94+; Wine Enthusiast 94; Wine Spectator 93. aged ~22 months in 80% new oak

Tasting Note
Dense plum and baked blackberry core with savory sage, tobacco and black pepper. Layers of cloves, pencil lead and dark cherry; full-bodied with plush fruit, chewy tannins and a long, savory finish.

Food Pairing
Grilled or roasted beef, lamb, game (venison), braised short ribs; aged cheddar and mushroom dishes. Asian: Peking duck, char siu, Korean BBQ, soy-braised beef or rich noodle/stew dishes.

Production Method
100% Merlot from Mt. Veeder; fermented in small lots and aged ~22 months in French oak (≈80% new). Hand-harvested, low-yield mountain fruit; limited production.

Vineyard Info
Mt. Brave crafts mountain-grown wines from a high-elevation Mt. Veeder estate (planted since 1800s). Winemaker Chris Carpenter produces small-batch, concentrated Napa bottlings emphasizing site expression.