I was so excited to get a small allocation of these guys! Pride Mountain Vineyards is better known for their mail-order wine club and their wines aren’t a common sight on retail shelves, so we were super-humbled to be able to get a half-dozen bottles each of three different varieties. The estate vineyards (which are really interesting in that they literally straddle the Napa/Sonoma boundary) are high-altitude (up to 2100 feet) and, as such, present unique growing conditions. Sitting high atop Spring Mountain in the Mayacamas range, the vineyards are mostly southern-facing and sit above the fog-line, so they get plenty of sun throughout the growing season, with warmer mornings and cooler afternoons as compared to the valley below. This makes for big, rich wines, but with plentiful balancing acidity to keep them fresh and lively.
Ok, so enough about the producer (cool though they may be). Take a look at what we received (we were allowed 6 bottles of each).
2020 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon-This rich-yet-elegant Cabernet is sourced 54% from the Napa side and 46% from the Sonoma side of the property and there were just over 4000 cases produced. It’s a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Petit Verdot, aged in 100% French oak (50% new, 50% neutral). This vintage is not yet rated, but this bottling regularly scores in the mid-90s.
$81.99/bottle
2020 Pride Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay-Only 1945 cases of this wine were released. The wine was fermented 100% in French oak (mostly neutral) and aged in the same. From The Wine Advocate: “The 2020 Chardonnay slowly unfurls to reveal notes of key lime pie, yuzu and lemongrass, plus minerally suggestions of wet pebbles, chalk dust and brine. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers exhilarating tension and a zippy backbone, breaking through to fantastic citrusy intensity and a long chalky finish.” 92pts
$49.99/bottle
2019 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot-4370 case of this wine, a blend of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, were produced. From Vinous: “The 2019 Merlot is very pretty in this vintage. Floral and spice notes give the Merlot a striking aromatic upper register that is both distinctive and alluring. Sweet red cherry, cinnamon and rose petal all build nicely in the glass. Best of all, the Pride Merlot will drink well right out of the gate.” 93pts
$65.99/bottle
Cards on the table, I actually haven’t gotten to try any of these wines yet (it’s not like they typically take out samples of allocated wines to try us on) though I do have a bottle of the 2019 Cabernet in my cellar from a wonderful customer who happens to belong to their wine club and raves about this producer. These won’t last long, so come on down and snag a bottle or two today…they’d make excellent gifts when you want wines with classic California style, but a producer that’s a bit tougher to track down!
Cheers,
Dan
Rock Bridge Wine and Spirits 