Viader
Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
This was a rescue mission. A friend of mine who isn’t a wine professional, or even much of a hobbiest, was hosting a small gathering and we needed another bottle of wine. She mentioned that she had some bottles downstairs that she had holed away; gifts from clients and such. There were about two dozen bottles in a small wine rack in her basement; some recent Opus and some other random bottles. As I looked through, I noticed a lone bottle of Viader and as I spun the bottle over, I nearly laughed when I saw the 1996 vintage. I asked if she had any sentimental attachment to the bottle; she had none. We were drinking this bottle.
The label was clearly stained and was, apparently, received that way. She had won the bottle at a charity auction, donated by a known local collector. The cork, which seemed it otherwise fabulous condition, came out in two distinct pieces but I fault myself and the corkscrew for that.
The 1996 Viader Proprietary Red now pours a dark garnet with slightly browning edges and a good amount of fine sediment. However, this is not only very much alive, it was sharing possibly one of its grandest moments of life! The bouquet is absolutely beautiful...beguiling; commanding attention the moment the cork is extracted. Unleashing powerful aromas of homemade mixed berry preserves, baking spices, sweet pipe tobacco and old leather. It actually gained intensity in the glass and I just wanted to smell it for the rest of the night. On the palate, the fruit was on full display and yet, the secondary flavors of spices and earth are in perfect balance. As are the tannins which, while still apparent, are neatly integrated to deliver maximum satisfaction. The texture, impeccable. The finish, everlasting. She is a wine at full peak and she knows it. A wine of confidence and grace. Amongst the nerds and plebes, this wonderful ‘96 Viader was the unanimous WOTN. Drink it now while it’s still sexy as hell.
This was a rescue mission. A friend of mine who isn’t a wine professional, or even much of a hobbiest, was hosting a small gathering and we needed another bottle of wine. She mentioned that she had some bottles downstairs that she had holed away; gifts from clients and such. There were about two dozen bottles in a small wine rack in her basement; some recent Opus and some other random bottles. As I looked through, I noticed a lone bottle of Viader and as I spun the bottle over, I nearly laughed when I saw the 1996 vintage. I asked if she had any sentimental attachment to the bottle; she had none. We were drinking this bottle.
The label was clearly stained and was, apparently, received that way. She had won the bottle at a charity auction, donated by a known local collector. The cork, which seemed it otherwise fabulous condition, came out in two distinct pieces but I fault myself and the corkscrew for that.
The 1996 Viader Proprietary Red now pours a dark garnet with slightly browning edges and a good amount of fine sediment. However, this is not only very much alive, it was sharing possibly one of its grandest moments of life! The bouquet is absolutely beautiful...beguiling; commanding attention the moment the cork is extracted. Unleashing powerful aromas of homemade mixed berry preserves, baking spices, sweet pipe tobacco and old leather. It actually gained intensity in the glass and I just wanted to smell it for the rest of the night. On the palate, the fruit was on full display and yet, the secondary flavors of spices and earth are in perfect balance. As are the tannins which, while still apparent, are neatly integrated to deliver maximum satisfaction. The texture, impeccable. The finish, everlasting. She is a wine at full peak and she knows it. A wine of confidence and grace. Amongst the nerds and plebes, this wonderful ‘96 Viader was the unanimous WOTN. Drink it now while it’s still sexy as hell.
1996 Despite lackluster year. Very good. Better nose has cherry and caramel aroma. Finish is still decent.
1996 Despite lackluster year. Very good. Better nose has cherry and caramel aroma. Finish is still decent.
Nov 16th, 2019