2014 Anthem Mt. Veeder Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

With a passion for wine and a desire to produce small quantities of handcrafted wines from the most distinctive and promising vineyard in the Napa Valley, Julie and Justin Arbuckle formed Anthem Winery in 2009. Julie and Justin have grown Anthem Winery since its inaugural 2009 vintage, always increasing its sustainability along the way. For example, Anthem’s Estate Mt. Veeder Vineyards are now certified Napa Green. Justin and Julie hope to build a Napa Green winery and tasting room adjacent to their vineyards in the near future.

Crafting these wines is winemaker, Jeff Ames. An explosive talent, Jeff has made some of California's most acclaimed wines from some of California's most notable vineyards. Accompanying him is Estate Vineyard manager John Anthony Truchard. John brings a rare skill set, as an expert viticulturist, vineyard manager, and personally familiar with Napa's top vineyards. Together, Jeff and John work side by side crafting one of California's most premier wines. 

The Mount Veeder AVA in Napa Valley is a one-of-a-kind appellation, with the highest elevations in the Valley of up to 2,400 feet. It is located in Napa Valley, west of Napa and Yountville, in the Mayacamas mountain range. It has one of the most extreme and rugged growing conditions, demanding limited use of machinery and relying on nearly all vineyard work to be done by hand. The steep and winding slopes induce stress into the vines, resulting in wines displaying pronounced depth, complexity, and intensity.

Aging: 18 months in barrel, 27 months in bottle before release.

Tasting Notes: Red Wine. 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot. On the palate, this wine is dense and layered, expressing its earthy hillside terroir with gentle olive and licorice undertones. It's firm tannins quickly soften, resulting in a long and lingering finish. Drink now or hold, as rewards will develop in bottle for years to come for the patient collector.