These wines were first tasted during a visit with Alan Viader at the estate on April 30. I bought two of my favorites to share with the UC Berkeley class in San Francisco on May 12. The notes below are a combination of observations from the two tastings.
Dare by Viader, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 The nose features sweet oak, cocoa and Cassis. In the mouth this is an elegant Cabernet, soft in profile, with tannins that are fully ripe, Cassis again, with acidity to frame the wine and carry its flavor – yum. Produced and bottled in Deer Park, CA 14.5% purchased at the winery $40
Viader “V”, Napa Valley, Red Table Wine 2005 The fruit is very fresh in the nose, as if from a very new wine. There’s also a liqueur-like smell with a bit of spiritous character in the nose and with 10 minutes the sweetness comes on. In the mouth this is another supple wine, which is quite a feat with so much Petit Verdot in the mix. This blend is quite fruity, super dense and features lots of acidity – very nice and very long.
The grapes behind this proprietary blend are 62% Petit Verdot and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon. Alan says that they sometimes pick in November up on the mountain, where they have ample sunshine to achieve full ripeness. Produced and bottled in Deer Park, CA 14% purchased at the winery $125
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