Blackberries and currants, together with subtle aromas of vanilla and black mushroom. It’s medium-to full-bodied and still showing some reserve with firm tannins and a savory, salivating finish.
Newton Vineyard is in the Spring Mountain region of Napa Valley. It was founded in 1978 by Peter Newton, who had previously been one of the founders of Sterling Vineyards. Today it is still operated by the Newton family though the luxury conglomerate LVMH bought the winery in 2001. The nearly 200-acre estate produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. It is best known, however, for its unfiltered Chardonnay.
Mount Veeder AVA was established in 1993, though its origins as a wine producing district date to the 19th century. A German Presbyterian pastor named Peter Veeder was one of the first landowners in the area, and by 1864 one of his neighbors, a German sea captain named Stelham Wing, was producing wine commercially. The area continued to attract German agricultural entrepreneurs, some of whom established the estate that would later become the Christian Brothers Mont La Salle winery. Today the AVA includes about 1,000 acres of vineyards, most of them at relatively high altitudes. The Mayacamas vineyard, for instance, is at 2,400 feet. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most frequently planted grape, followed by Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.