Mayacamas is a legendary, blue chip Napa vineyard perched excessive on Mt. Veeder — above the fog line, in reality. Whereas the vineyard is well-known for its cabernet and chardonnay releases, it additionally operates a singular library system that buyers have full entry to. Annually, winemaker Braiden Albrecht — who’s been with the operation since 2013 when possession modified palms — says the vineyard holds again 100 to 200 instances of wine to be bought 10 or 20 years down the street. Which means at the moment you’ll be able to by the present launch cabernet — 2020 — but additionally a bottle of 2010 or 2000.
The chardonnay program additionally has a 10-year library program like this, too.
I used to be lucky to style via three cabernets — 2020, 2010, and 2000 — with Albrecht over Zoom and take a deep dive into grape rising and winemaking and Mayacamas. I tasted the 2 vintages of chardonnay by myself time.
Ideas observe.
2020 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder – Mayacamas makes use of minimal new oak in its operation, sometimes simply 5 to 10% per classic. Getting old in wooden nonetheless is prolonged — a median of 36 months, usually in very giant casks — which is why 2020 is the present launch. This wine is younger however displaying considerably attraction already. Fascinating notes of mint atop plenty of cherry. The assault is paying homage to a layered Tremendous Tuscan, frivolously natural and floral to a lesser extent, with parts of pine needles, rosemary, bay leaf, and pea flowers. A contact dusty because the end arrives, with a number of notes of dry earth and powdered charcoal, and a really dry conclusion. Nonetheless, there’s loads of acidity right here and a few tightly wound tannins. Maintain for five to 10 years, or decant if consuming at the moment. A / $185
2010 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder – What a distinction vs. the 2020, with a giant Mexican chocolate be aware up prime, heavy with cinnamon. Tannin has all however vanished right here, forsaking vibrant acidity, frivolously balsamic at instances. What stays on the palate is a superb chunk of strawberry, surprisingly juicy, and really mild on its ft. Because the end builds, the wine takes a flip towards tartness, softening up and making room for acquainted secondary aromatics that embody pine and rosemary, pushing extra towards thyme afterward. There’s a lot fruit right here (however no weighty oak) that you might simply persuade your self this was one other varietal altogether. Simple and versatile, it’s a uncommon cabernet you might get pleasure from in heat climate, watching a summer time sundown. Nonetheless in its prime, however I’d drink it quickly to stave off cork troubles. A- / $300
2000 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon – Tasted from a 375ml bottle (not commercially out there on this dimension). No formal Mt. Veeder designation on the label, however this wine is from the identical vineyards because the others. Crumbling, damaged cork at opening. Extraordinarily fragrant, the fruit right here remains to be current, however giving solution to stunning florals and, most clearly, a giant punch of menthol. The eucalyptus be aware is sort of heady, whereas the fruit takes on extra of an orangey citrus tone amidst the cherries and currants. Time in glass helps carry ahead extra earth tones because the florals blow off — not fairly evoking turned earth however one thing nearer to aromatic underbrush. Balsamic is beginning to present as effectively, however the wine remains to be manageable, possibly just some years previous peak — and with loads of time left on its trip. Thoughts you, this was from a half-bottle. Magnums (all which might be out there) ought to nonetheless be peaking. A- / $650 (magnum)
2022 Mayacamas Chardonnay Mt. Veeder – Nothing in any respect to not fall in love with right here: This sensible chardonnay eases the pedal off the oak to let restrained however juicy notes of pears and inexperienced apple rapidly emerge, tempered by notes of white flowers, jasmine, and a contact of sea salt. Vanilla-laced citrus builds with time in glass and on palate — delicate lemon curd, lime leaf, and orange blossoms making for a sublime companion to the orchard fruit up prime. Touches of spice ring the end — some cinnamon and nutmeg, once more with a cleaning sea spray conclusion. It’s arduous to think about a greater California chardonnay in present launch. A / $65
2022 Mayacamas Chardonnay Mt. Veeder – Clearly oxidizing and on the decline, however not less than it has a little bit of life left in it. The gently vinegary assault quickly recedes to make room for notes of Key lime, white grape, and gooseberry — adopted by roasted almonds and a wholesome slug of salinity. The spice of the 2022 has light away right here, however there could also be an echo of cinnamon lingering someplace within the expertise. Prolonged airtime tempers the oxidized qualities, however it additionally mutes the fruit, forsaking a extra mineral-heavy, acidity-driven wine. Thread the needle the very best you’ll be able to. B / $NA
2022 Mayacamas Chardonnay Mt. Veeder
$65
