Mount Veeder Winery, Mount Veeder (Napa Valley, California) 2012

The vineyards’ high elevation (1,500-1,600 feet) is one of the factors responsible for the high quality of the wines (vines stressed by altitude and lean, demanding soils tend to yield superior fruit).  Idyllic growing conditions in 2012 — a dry winter, rainy spring and warm, dry summer and fall — also played a role.  And then there was the expert winemaking, including keeping the wine in small oak barrels for 20 months.  All of these factors contributed to make this a stunningly delicious wine, where hints of minty eucalyptus and sage add savory complexity to the rich base of berries and chocolaty mocha.  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.