One of the timeless Napa wines, VIADER is all about hard work and dedication. Delia Viader only made one wine for years, a Bordeaux style blend, which she first crafted all the way back in 1986. She achieved a a PhD from Sorbonne University in Paris, and founding winemaker Delia Viader found her beautiful wines in top Michelin star restaurants across the globe.
Her son, Alan, is making some incredible wines now that all come from their estate site on Howell Mountain. This location is on a rocky hillside and has amazing stony character in the wines.
I have tasted these wines for more than 20 plus years. I tried their new ‘DARE’ wines which have novel varietals grown at this stony location. I love the 2024 VIADER ‘DARE’ Grenache (OB, 94) which is stony and floral with amazing novelty. I don’t think there is anything quite like this in Napa. Learn more about this storied Napa winery at https://viader.com Here are the beautiful new wines by VIADER.
2024 VIADER ‘DARE’ Touriga Nacional- The 2024 ‘DARE’ Touriga Nacional comes from this rocky site set at 1200 feet. Black florals and wet gravel mark the nose with shades of cassis. The palate is structured and concentrated with refined tannins and great weight and length. This has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2026-2040- 94
2024 VIADER ‘DARE’ Tempranillo- One of the only Tempranillo bottlings from Napa that I have tasted, the 2024 ‘DARE’ shows smoky and savory herbal notes on the nose with shades of milk chocolate. The palate is juicy and delicious with a refined mouthfeel and terrific texture, with faint orange peel and red raspberry notes. Drink 2026-2040- 94
2024 VIADER ‘DARE’ Grenache- An outstanding Napa Grenache, the 2024 ‘DARE’ offers pretty red florals, dill and Nori notes on the nose with Satsuma orange zest. The palate is well-structured and refined with a terrific mouthfeel and great acid backbone. The rocky soil nuance here is really novel. Drink 2026-2040- 94