"The perfect 2016 vintage proved to be an auspicious beginning to our relationship with our newly acquired Amentet Vineyard at 1700’ on the Northwest end of the Mount Veeder AVA. While our new neighbors from Bordeaux invest in reinvigorating the Pym Rae Vineyard on Robin William’s ranch that we enjoyed for 22 vintages next door, the excitement over our first release from our own property is tough to articulate.”
- President/CEO Elton Slone
Unfortunately, the 750ml bottles of this exceptional inaugural vintage of Amentet Estate Vineyard Mount Veeder Cabernet is sold out upon release. To those of you who were lucky enough to acquire a few bottles, enjoy!
AVAILABLE IN
MAGNUM OR
3 LITER
HARVEST DATES: September 16-October 13, 2015
AVERAGE SUGAR: 25.3° BRIS| TA: 6.4g/L | PH: 3.63 | ALCOHOL: 14.8%
BARREL AGING: 18 mo. Chateau-style French oak; 80% new. Unfiltered and unfined.
BOTTLING DATE: April 30, 2018
CASES PRODUCED: 458
APPELLATION: MOUNT VEEDER
ELEVATION: 1700'
ACRES: 6.5
VARIETALS: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Perched at 1,700’ of elevation along Wall Road on the north end of the Mount Veeder AVA, this 6.5-acre vineyard is destined for greatness. After 22 vintages of purchasing fruit on a handshake contract with the late actor Robin Williams from the neighboring Pym Rae vineyard, it was a joy to receive a first harvest from our own immaculate young vineyard in 2016.
We christened the property Amentet Vineyard, after the Egyptian Goddess of the West. With the “rebirth” of our Veeder Cab, Amentet (pronounced “AH-men-TETT”) seems the perfect patroness—the goddess of fertility and rebirth, who was often depicted with a hawk perched upon her head. Given the number of red tails spotted from our new vineyard, this seems particularly providential.
The site was planted and managed by the same man who farmed the neighboring Pym Rae vineyard for Robin for more than two decades, and it is no surprise that the resulting wines are so similar. The sandy, gravel-based soils of shale with a sandstone topsoil produce wines that are black in color with very low PH values and naturally high acids. A perfect combination for longevity. The beauty of this warmer, fog-free northern section of Mount Veeder is that the wines are free of any unwanted vegetal or rustic characteristics that can affect cooler climate sites to the south.
Featured Cabernet Club Fall Release
Members please call for availability (707) 252.2250
This inaugural release from Amentet is deep in color with classic accents from the fossilized marine sediment that comprises the Mayacamas range on the west side of Napa Valley. The tannins are dense and round, and the mouthfeel luxurious. There is enough natural acid to prop up all the complexity in the dark wine and balance it well for cellaring. Antonio Galloni of Vinous Media raved about the first release, and the wine is showing even better a year on.
96 POINTS
“A powerful, dense wine, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Amentet Vineyard oozes Veeder character. Graphite, scorched earth, lavender, plum, blood orange and crème de cassis are all finely rendered in this superb, intensely mineral Cabernet Sauvignon. Powerful and yet refined, with tremendous energy, the 2016 is a winner from Robert Craig.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
December 14, 2018
