Mount Brave Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 勇士山莊赤霞珠紅酒

Founded in 2007, Mt. Brave is a tribute to the pioneering spirit of those who settled the rugged terrain of Mt. Veeder during the 1800s and an homage to the native Wappos, “the brave ones,” who were the original inhabitants of this extraordinary place. Mt. Brave produces staggeringly intense and complex wines from its high altitude estate vineyard in the Mt. Veeder AVA located in the Mayacamas Mountain Range. First planted to grapes in the 1860s, this wild and isolated wine-growing region features panoramic views, sparse soils, steep terrain, and some of the lowest yields in all of the Napa Valley. Despite being the largest AVA in Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder produces less than 2% of all its wines. For over 150 years determined winegrowers have farmed this mountain landscape where many thought the conditions too severe, too extreme, and too lacking in promise.The Mt. Brave vineyard sits at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 1,800 feet. While Mt. Veeder is generally cool, the Mt. Brave vineyard sits above the fog at the northern end of the appellation, receiving early morning sun and less marine influence from the San Pablo Bay.

Country: Napa Valley, USA

Rating: 92 Points by Wine Advocate 

Tasting Note: The star of the Mt Brave trio of new releases is the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon. There are nearly 5,800 cases of this fairly priced Cabernet. Blueberry, licorice, beef blood, tobacco leaf and forest floor aromas soar from the glass of this ripe, full-bodied, opulent wine. A blend of 87.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.5% Merlot and the rest tiny quantities of Cabernet Franc and Malbec, it was aged in 81% new French oak. The oak component is well-concealed behind the extravagant fruit. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

勇士山莊創立於 2007 年，是對 1800 年代定居在維德山崎嶇山地的先驅們的開拓精神獻禮，同時也是對當地瓦波人的致敬。瓦波人自稱為“勇敢的人們”，是這一片非凡土地上的原始居民。

勇士山莊葡萄園海拔高， 位於梅亞卡瑪斯山脈的維德山產區，釀造出的美酒不僅口感強烈，而且風味精妙複雜。這座遺世獨立的荒野葡萄栽培地區於 1860 年代初次種植葡萄，此處坐擁壯麗全景，土壤稀少，地形陡峭，產量可謂整個納帕谷之最低。儘管維德山是納帕谷中規模最大的產區，然而產量卻不足整個山谷葡萄酒產量的 2%。 150 年來，儘管許多人認為當地土壤貧瘠，氣候惡劣，釀酒希望渺茫，意志堅定的釀造者仍然在山區耕種不止。

勇士山莊葡萄園坐落於 1,400 至 1,800 英尺的海拔之間。維德山通常涼爽宜人，勇士山莊葡萄園位於產區北端，下方雲霧繚繞，能飽覽清晨陽光，受來自聖保羅灣的海洋氣候影響較小。

由於土壤輕薄，土質貧瘠，並覆蓋大小各異的岩石，迫使葡萄藤紮根深處。缺乏營養元素與礦物成分培養出的小漿果口感濃郁，有成熟單寧的韻味。葡萄園因崎嶇地形而聞名，葡萄園中的幾乎所有工序皆須靠人工完成。在豐收季節，必須人工搬運小箱子上下陡坡，以保護葡萄藤與葡萄園的工人。