ONE BOTTLE
“VIADER “BLACK LABEL” NAPA VALLEY, 2017
To round out a year unlike any other, here’s a dramatic, unique wine that stands out from the usual Napa Valley crowd. Unlike woeful 2020, however, this blend of estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec and Cabernet Franc from second-generation winemaker, Alan Viader is wonderfully charming and exhilarating. The rarely seen blend sports a dark-as-midnight body (hence the name’s inspiration), a velvety texture and tight tannins, leading to notes of tart red fruit, cinnamon and dark cacao. The grapes were picked just before October 2017’s tragic fires throughout Wine Country. Sadly, three years later, the wine’s debut came right after September’s Glass Fire destroyed, or damaged, many of Viader’s Deer Park neighbors. Fortunately, Viader emerged safely with minor damage to the estate, though the verdict is still out on the impact to the vineyard. For now, let’s raise a glass of this special wine with friends and family and try to look optimistically forward to what hopefully will be a healthier, safer new year. The 2017 VIADER “Black Label” is available at viader.com.”