Brandlin Estate, Mount Veeder – Napa Valley (California) 2019

 This delicious blend will prove as broadly useful is it will be popular, with just the right combination of near-term accessibility, capacity for improvement over time, and medium-plus weight that will make it very versatile with robust to moderately robust foods.  The bouquet shows both red and black fruit tones (leaning red), with a touch of spice but virtually no overtly wood notes — which reflects cellar decisions I really respect.  The tannins are present but very fine-grained, and the wine comes across in overall terms as stylish and restrained while still showing lovely fruit and providing quite satisfying flavor impact.  As we all know, it is not difficult to make imposingly concentrated and powerful wines in Napa, whereas it is not easy to make wines that are alluringly fresh but still substantial.  This wine hits that mark.