VIADER

I love Napa with restraint and outstanding terror. A famed Napa winery, VIADER is the brainchild of Delia Viader, who took the leap of faith years ago to plant grapes in uncharted waters in Napa Valley. 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 balance rather than primary fruit qualities. I have been enchanted with these wines and have been fortunate enough to try many going back to the 1990s. 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. 

I have been impressed with their newer wine in their collection, the VIADER ‘Black Label’ Red Wine, which has Syrah blend into Bordeaux varietals.The new 2017 VIADER ‘Black Label’ Red Wine (WWB, 94), is more approachable with its rich dark fruits from the Syrah blended in. I love this wine in its youth after a long decant. Just as good is the 2017 VIADER Red Wine (WWB, 94) which is highly nuanced and shows wonderful elegance and verve. Give this beauty a few more years to evolve in the cellar. Learn more about this storied Napa winery at https://viader.com Here are the beautiful new wines by VIADER.

2017 VIADER Red Wine- A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Cabernet Franc, the wine is sourced from this famed site high above the Napa floor at 1200 feet. Needing a two hour decant, over time the nose impresses with damp soil and pretty red rose petals that combine with the core of dark fruits and chocolate undertones. The pillowy texture really entices as this elegant wine shows off a silky sense of mouthfeel. Layers of black currants and blackberry compote combine with espresso bean and tar tones with violets on the palate. Showing really good length and tension, this beautiful wine has many years to go in the cellar. Try to resist this beautiful wine for at least two more years. Drink 2020-2040- 94

2017 VIADER ‘Black Label’ Red Wine- The ‘Black Label’ red wine is a limited production bottling made from 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Syrah with small portions Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Needing a one hour decant to fully evolve, the wine begins to slowly unveil baking spices and mocha tones that combine with shades of potpourri and kirsch tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate shows great structure and lovely tension with a great combination of red and dark fruits that meld with minerals, smoke and earthy undertones. More open and approachable than the VIADER Red Wine, the 2017 ‘Black Label’ is every bit as good and will cellar well for another fifteen plus years. Drink 2020-2035- 94