2012 Mt. Brave Merlot

Mt. Brave was founded in 2007 on the upper reaches of Mt. Veeder. It is named for the native Wappo tribe, whose name translates as “the brave ones.” Mt. Brave is part of the Jackson Family Wines Collection, which, despite its roots in Napa Valley, now owns wineries around the world. The Mt. Brave vineyard ranges from 1,400 to 1,800 feet above sea level, meaning that part of it is above the famous fog line that moves into lower elevation vineyards. Chris Carpenter is the winemaker. He has worked for Lokoya, La Jota and Cardinale. The estate makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot.

Mount Veeder AVA was established in 1993, though its origins as a wine producing district date to the 19th century. A German Presbyterian pastor named Peter Veeder was one of the first landowners in the area, and by 1864 one of his neighbors, a German sea captain named Stelham Wing, was producing wine commercially. The area continued to attract German agricultural entrepreneurs, some of whom established the estate that would later become the Christian Brothers Mont La Salle winery. Today the AVA includes about 1,000 acres of vineyards, most of them at relatively high altitudes. The Mayacamas vineyard, for instance, is at 2,400 feet. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most frequently planted grape, followed by Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

The Merlot grape is such a deep blue that it is named for the blackbird. It’s an early ripening grape and one of the primary varietals used In Bordeaux. Merlot is also grown in the "International style," which is harvested later to bring out more tannins and body.