2019 VIADER “Homenaje”
94+ Points – The 2019 Red Blend Homenaje is another interesting blend and is based on 57% Malbec and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has remarkable purity in its cassis and currant-like fruit profile as well as notes of spicy oak, leather, loamy earth, and some chalky, mineral nuances. With full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a firm, age-worthy style, give it 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years.
2019 VIADER “V”
91+ Points – A blend of 76% Petit Verdot and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Petit Verdot V sports a deep purple/plum hue as well as an exotic nose of ripe plums, blueberries, scorched earth, leather, and dried herbs. Rich, full-bodied, and mouth-filling, it doesn’t have the elegance or sophistication of the Cabernet yet certainly brings a wealth of fruit, extract, and tannin. Hide bottles for 7-8 years if you can and it should be long lived. 236 cases.
2019 VIADER “Black Label”
94 Points – The deep purple-hued 2019 Red Blend Black Label is an interesting blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, 22% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec, all from the estate vineyard on Howell Mountain. It offers up some subtle reductive, lactic notes that blow off with air to reveal an almost Saint-Emilion-like bouquet of ripe red and black fruits, chocolate, smoked tobacco, and hints of iron. Ripe, opulent, and full-bodied on the palate, it excels on its silky, polished tannins and terrific overall balance. There are 564 cases produced.
2019 VIADER Proprietary Red Blend
97 Points – A cuvée that was first made in 1989, the 2019 Proprietary Red Blend is based on 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Cabernet Franc that was fermented in a combination of concrete, 500-liter barrels, and stainless steel, spending 52 days on skins. It has wonderful purity in its cassis and redcurrant-like fruits as well as complex notes of tobacco leaf, currant bud, violets, and chocolate. Full-bodied on the palate, it has rock-solid structure, ripe tannins, and a great finish. The finest vintage of this cuvée I’ve tasted, it deserves 3-5 years in the cellar and will keep for two decades.
Certainly one of the ‘wow factor’ Napa properties, VIADER is the brainchild of Delia Viader, who had the brilliant idea to plant grapes in uncharted waters on Howell Mountain. For years Delia only made one wine, a Bordeaux style blend, since 1986. Holding a PhD from Sorbonne University in Paris, founding winemaker Delia Viader now collaborates with her son, Alan, to make their wines which are entirely sourced from their estate vineyard on Howell Mountain. A remarkable story, Delia stated VIADER while raising four children on her own. Since starting the winery she was met with some incredible critical acclaim for her pretty style of wine that typically incorporates a large amount of Cabernet Franc.
Delia has achieved incredible success since starting in the mid-80s as she models her style of wine towards the great wines of Bordeaux, focusing on structure, balance and finesse rather than primary fruit qualities. It is amazing how well these wines age, as I have had several bottles in the past year going back to the early 2000s. These wines are still flying high with plenty of rich dark fruits and acidity. Delia’s son, Alan, served as VIADER vineyard manager since 2002 while studying winemaking at UC Davis. He has been lead winemaker at VIADER since 2006 and works with Delia on all wines. Although it has only been produced for a few years, the VIADER ‘Black Label’ Red Wine, which has Syrah blend into Bordeaux varietals, has been a remarkably consistent, very novel wine that is really all its own. I adored the new 2019 VIADER ‘Black Label’ Red Wine (OB, 96) which is dense and chewy with some massive aging potential considering the variety and place. I am fully amazed by the thrilling 2019 VIADER Red Wine (OB, 98) which is undoubtedly one of the great VIADER bottlings that I have ever tasted. Seamless, dense and pillowy, this sensational effort really needs a long decant if enjoying young — and will surely go on for another twenty years. Learn more about this storied Napa winery at https://viader.com Here are the beautiful new wines by VIADER.
96 Points – 2019 VIADER ‘Black Label’ Red Wine- A truly one of a kind blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah with 22% Cabernet Franc and the remainder Petit Verdot, this unveils heady aromatics of graphite and black licorice that combine with violets, black olive and suggestions of loganberry preserves that all sing in unison. The palate is plush, deep and inviting with gobs of freshness and a wonderfully gratifying viscosity that work in tandem. Firm tannins hold in place a rich core of dark fruits with shades of cocoa dusted black cherry and smoky undertones on the palate. Delicious and decadent to enjoy in its youth, this has another fifteen to twenty years in front of it. Give this at least an hour in the decanter before enjoying, Drink 2022-2039
98 Points – 2019 VIADER Red Wine – A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Cabernet Franc, this truly needs two hours in the decanter prior to enjoying. Once aroused, this complex edition might be one of the great VIADER wines ever produced. Seamless and sinfully good on the mid-palate, with textual opulence, this delivers plenty of wet stone character alongside creme de cassis, mocha, tar, anise and exotic spices on the palate. Velvety tannins frame everything marvelously as this finishes exceedingly long. If you love Napa with terroir and balance, do not look any further. Drink 2022-2042
2019 VIADER “V”
93 Points – 2019 VIADER “V” – This offers aromas of ripe dark fruit and wet leaves, as well as some licorice and spiced oak. Full bodied and chewy with a long, mineral finish and a touch of saltiness. Will soften in a couple of years. 76% petit verdot and 24% cabernet sauvignon. Try in 2023.
