Robert Craig’s wines are known for pure site expression. Most Cabernet bottlings are appellation-specific: Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain. The Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon is from Robin Williams’ Pym Rae vineyard. It’s an exceptional site, one of the highest on the mountain. The distinctive subsoil is run through with blue shale and an upper layer of shallow, sandy top soil sits above. Robert Craig consulted for Williams on vineyard development in 1990, and has received the majority of fruit from the property since. Today, the mature vines have driven their roots deep, drawing up minerals and nutrients. It’s a soil-driven quality that you can taste and feel in the wine.

The wine is dark and complex with mountain wildflower that complements the black, brooding fruit. This is a huge wine with lots of weight and power. It will continue to evolve in the cellar for decades to come, but the addition of a small quantity of Merlot (in combination with the balance and class of the vintage) will allow it to be enjoyed young too.

“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder comes from the Amentet Vineyard and is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Its deep purple/blue colour is followed by a powerful, structured wine that gives up beautiful black and blue fruits, notes of graphite, crushed rock, lavender, and tobacco, a medium to full-bodied, concentrated mouthfeel, and a great finish. This beautiful mountain Cabernet needs 4-5 years of bottle age but should keep for 20-25+ years. 2025-2052.”
95 points, Jeb Dunnuck, January 2021