Mt. Brave
Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California, USA
Mt. Brave is a relative newcomer to the Jackson Family portfolio however, to my palate, it’s one of the more interesting. Like many of the more remarkable wines, it’s the land that makes Mt. Brave special. The vineyard way up on Mt. Veeder was formerly the source of fruit for the OG Chateau Potelle, which sold to Jess Jackson back in 2007.
Popped and poured; consumed over three days. Fairly consistent throughout but it might have been my favorite on Day 2. The 2012 pours a deep ruby, bordering purple with an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears; definitely some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of blackberries, cassis, black plums, tobacco, new leather, some light pyrazines, rocky earth, and beautiful baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the dark fruit is so dense! Drinks well now but could easily bring delight through 2035.
Mt. Brave is a relative newcomer to the Jackson Family portfolio however, to my palate, it’s one of the more interesting. Like many of the more remarkable wines, it’s the land that makes Mt. Brave special. The vineyard way up on Mt. Veeder was formerly the source of fruit for the OG Chateau Potelle, which sold to Jess Jackson back in 2007.
Popped and poured; consumed over three days. Fairly consistent throughout but it might have been my favorite on Day 2. The 2012 pours a deep ruby, bordering purple with an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears; definitely some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of blackberries, cassis, black plums, tobacco, new leather, some light pyrazines, rocky earth, and beautiful baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the dark fruit is so dense! Drinks well now but could easily bring delight through 2035.
Time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a delicious one.
Deep inky in color with a short purple rim.
Fruity nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, light vegetables, herbs, tobacco leaf, spices, graphite, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee and earth.
Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, light vegetables and pencil lead.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a delicious Napa Cabernet. Showing great complexity and mouthfeel. Big and bold, rich and opulent.
Balanced and enjoyable by itself or with food. A great wine from a great vintage, with great potential.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours).
Robert Parker 92 points.
Drinking very nicely now and will be even better in the next 5 years.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses and light appetizers.
A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. Aged in (81% new) French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$100.
Time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a delicious one.
Deep inky in color with a short purple rim.
Fruity nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, light vegetables, herbs, tobacco leaf, spices, graphite, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee and earth.
Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, light vegetables and pencil lead.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a delicious Napa Cabernet. Showing great complexity and mouthfeel. Big and bold, rich and opulent.
Balanced and enjoyable by itself or with food. A great wine from a great vintage, with great potential.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours).
Robert Parker 92 points.
Drinking very nicely now and will be even better in the next 5 years.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses and light appetizers.
A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. Aged in (81% new) French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$100.
Slight green pepper on the nose. Super extracted but very balanced and long finish.
Slight green pepper on the nose. Super extracted but very balanced and long finish.
1 person found it helpfulApr 12th, 2018
Delicious mountain fruit. Deep ruby red with purplish hues. Dark cherries, almost like a cherry liquor on the nose. Dark mountain berries coating the palate. Some blueberry cola, fresh twigs and red cherries. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Great backbone and structure. Dry and long finish. Even has something a little savory on the palate. Great mountain juice built for the long haul. Drink till 2036.
Delicious mountain fruit. Deep ruby red with purplish hues. Dark cherries, almost like a cherry liquor on the nose. Dark mountain berries coating the palate. Some blueberry cola, fresh twigs and red cherries. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Great backbone and structure. Dry and long finish. Even has something a little savory on the palate. Great mountain juice built for the long haul. Drink till 2036.
1 person found it helpfulOct 11th, 2016
Owner Bon! Gourmet
Nicely built mountain wine dry finish
Nicely built mountain wine dry finish
1 person found it helpfulApr 19th, 2016
10 years in the cellar and it’s ready now. Smooth, silky tannins, dark figs and blackberries. I wish I had more.
10 years in the cellar and it’s ready now. Smooth, silky tannins, dark figs and blackberries. I wish I had more.
Feb 20th, 2022
A consistently great wine whenever I have had it. Dark black fruits and dense structure with a good complexity that gives you a hint of a blend with non Cab grapes. This version and vintage had a ripeness to it that make me think there was a lot of merlot. Good stuff.
A consistently great wine whenever I have had it. Dark black fruits and dense structure with a good complexity that gives you a hint of a blend with non Cab grapes. This version and vintage had a ripeness to it that make me think there was a lot of merlot. Good stuff.
Jun 30th, 2021
This single block is exceptional. Bountiful nose leads into a tantalizing black Cherry driven palate. Cases and coco, with hints of olive. Completely integrated tannins and soft mouthfeel. Still medium acidity for longer cellaring.
This single block is exceptional. Bountiful nose leads into a tantalizing black Cherry driven palate. Cases and coco, with hints of olive. Completely integrated tannins and soft mouthfeel. Still medium acidity for longer cellaring.
Nov 21st, 2020
Really good after decanting for 1.5 hours
Really good after decanting for 1.5 hours
Jun 14th, 2020