It is my pleasure to share the brilliant wines of VIADER which is the brainchild of Delia Viader. Many years back she made the bold move 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.
I have had the chance to taste many of these wines that are aged and they easily hold for 20 years. 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.
One of the great wines by them that I have tasted — and every bit as good as the incredible 2019 bottling, the 2021 VIADER Red Wine (OB, 98) is a massive, intense bottling that has gobs of flavor range and beautiful texture and tension. Learn more about this storied Napa winery at https://viader.com Here are the beautiful new wines by VIADER.
2021 VIADER ‘Estate Limited Edition’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Estate Limited Edition’ combines 58% Cabernet Sauvignon with 27% Syrah and the remainder Cabernet Franc and Malbec. This needs about an hour in the decanter to get going. Once on the nose this takes on anise and graphite notes alongside tar, black olives and blueberry compote. The palate is dense and decadent with serious body, texture and good verve. Firm tannins hold in place a great core of dark fruits with dark chocolate shavings, pipe tobacco and creme de violette notes. While remarkable to consume now, this also really needs another year in the bottle to fully resolve. What will wait will easily be a 20 year wine. Drink 2025-2045- 96
2021 VIADER Red Wine - A stunning blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Cabernet Franc, this is a world-class wine that needs about two hours in the decanter to get going. Once aroused, this offers a melange of anise, tobacco leaf, dark florals and dense dark fruits with a graphite edge on the nose. The palate is velvety and olush with a firm tannic and acid backbone. Layers of gorgeous black and blue fruits greet you with espresso grounds, loam/rocky soils and shades of Middle Eastern spices. While decadent and heady in its youth, this can benefit from some time in the cellar. Try to resist this beauty for another year or so. Drink 2025-2050- 98