Vintage Insights from John Giannini
The 2023 Mt.Veeder Winery Reserve:
A Milestone Vintage
The 2023 vintage marks my first as Winemaker for Mt. Veeder Winery, and I am honored to be part of the winery's historic 50th vintage. It is especially gratifying that this milestone coincides with a classic growing season distinguished by lifted aromatics, polished mountain tannins, and vibrant, vineyard-driven minerality.
This commemorative 50th vintage is composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon from our Rosenquist Vineyard and 8% Merlot from the North Ranch, with both sites perched at 1,550 feet elevation on the rugged slopes of Mt. Veeder. The cool, extended growing season allowed for slow, even ripening and exceptional flavor development, resulting in a wine of remarkable balance and site expression.
The wine displays a deep, inky purple hue and expressive aromas of fresh blackberry, cassis, dried sage, and crushed rock. The palate is layered and energetic, revealing concentrated mountain fruit framed by refined tannins and lively acidity. The long, gentle ripening season defined the vintage, producing a wine of elegance, structure, and complexity that culminates in a persistent, mineral-driven finish.
A compelling expression of both the 2023 vintage and Mt. Veeder's mountain terroir, this wine will reward careful cellaring while offering tremendous enjoyment in its youth.
The 2024 Mt. Veeder Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon:
A Modern Classic
The 2024 Napa Valley vintage marked a welcome return to a classic growing season. Budbreak arrived on schedule, fruit set was even, and balanced crop loads combined with ample summer warmth to deliver beautifully ripened fruit. The resulting wine showcases remarkable concentration and purity, offering vibrant fruit expression framed by refined tannins and bright natural acidity.
Our 2024 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon is immediately captivating, with aromas of boysenberry, lavender, vanilla, and hints of fresh tarragon rising from the glass. Rich and generous on the palate, layers of dark berry fruit are complemented by a supple texture and persistent finish. The addition of 11% estate Mount Veeder fruit contributes structure, elegance, and a signature mountain complexity that elevates the wine from start to finish.
The 2025 Mt. Veeder Winery Vintage Outlook:
Finding its Personality
The 2025 Mount Veeder wines currently resting in barrel are showing tremendous promise. Following their recent racking and return to barrel, the wines have begun to reveal their individual personalities and provide a clearer window into their ultimate potential. This stage of élevage allows us to better understand the strengths of each lot and informs the blending decisions we will make this winter.
We are excited to follow their evolution over the coming months and expect the wines to reflect the hallmarks of the 2025 vintage: concentration, freshness, and a strong sense of varietal and site expression. The cool, consistent growing season provided ideal conditions for developing complexity while preserving the natural balance and vibrancy that define Mount Veeder wines.
As we continue to nurture these wines, I am reminded that working on Mount Veeder is not for the faint of heart—but the rewards are always worth the effort. I’m excited to share these vintages with you and look forward to the moments they will create at your table.
Thank you for being a part of our journey.
Cheers,
John Giannini
Winemaker, Mount Veeder Winery