Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a mountain-grown Napa Valley red wine from the Mt. Veeder appellation, available in a standard 750ml bottle. This vintage earned 97 points from Jeb Dunnuck and a 95+ rating from Wine Advocate, placing it among the most critically lauded Mt. Veeder Cabernets of the decade. Winemaker Chris Carpenter coaxes remarkable depth from this high-elevation vineyard, resulting in a wine that balances power with aromatic complexity.

Quick Facts: Origin: Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Blend: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec  |  Winemaker: Chris Carpenter

Production & Heritage

Mt. Brave occupies the former Chateau Potelle vineyard site on Mt. Veeder, with plantings at elevations between 1,400 and 1,800 feet above sea level. Sitting above the fog line, the vineyard receives early morning sun while sparse, gravelly loam soils stress the vines into producing tiny berries with concentrated, complex flavors. The 2018 vintage was aged for 22 months in oak barrels — 82% new — allowing the wine's dense fruit core and rocky mineral character to integrate gradually before bottling. The five-grape blend adds layers of texture and aromatic breadth that a single-varietal bottling would not achieve.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe blackberry and crème de cassis before shifting to graphite, lavender, and violets. Deeper layers reveal bittersweet chocolate, sautéed herbs, clove oil, and a distinct scorched-earth minerality that speaks directly to the volcanic Mt. Veeder soils.

Taste: On entry, dense blackberry and mulberry fruit coat the palate with generous weight. The mid-palate broadens into black currant, baked plum, and Morello cherry, while anise, sassafras, and a saline mineral streak provide structure. A thread of chili-like spice and sage keeps each sip animated, preventing the richness from becoming heavy.

Finish: Long and layered, with mocha, graphite, and violet notes persisting well after each sip. The tannins are fine-grained but firm, pointing to continued development with cellaring.

How to Drink Mt. Brave 2018

This wine is best enjoyed in a large-bowled glass at cellar temperature (around 60–65°F), where the aromatic range can fully unfold. Decanting for 60–90 minutes softens the tannin structure and allows the secondary herb and mineral notes to emerge. While primarily a wine for the table rather than cocktails, it pairs exceptionally well with food and is best appreciated on its own terms rather than mixed.

Best For

• Cellaring for collectors seeking age-worthy Napa Valley Cabernet
• Gifting a serious wine enthusiast a 97-point mountain Cabernet
• Anchoring a comparative tasting of Mt. Veeder producers
• Pairing with a grilled bone-in ribeye or braised short rib dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mt. Brave 2018 taste like? Dense blackberry, cassis, and baked plum form the fruit core, while graphite, lavender, bittersweet chocolate, and rocky mineral notes add complexity. The tannins are polished yet structured, with a long mocha-laced finish.

How does Mt. Brave 2018 compare to Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon? Both wines come from the Mt. Veeder appellation and share the hallmark mineral tension and concentrated dark fruit of the mountain, though Mayacamas is often associated with a more austere, old-school style. Mt. Brave, under Chris Carpenter's direction, tends toward richer fruit expression and a higher proportion of new oak, giving it a more modern density.

Is Mt. Brave 2018 good for aging? Yes — the firm tannic backbone, concentrated fruit, and 22 months in predominantly new oak give this wine a framework built for cellaring; expect it to develop favorably through at least 2035 based on its structure and critical scores.

Where is Mt. Brave made? Mt. Brave wines are produced from estate vineyards on Mt. Veeder, a rugged appellation on the western edge of Napa Valley, California. The vineyard sits at 1,400 to 1,800 feet elevation on sparse, gravelly loam soils above the fog line.

What foods pair well with Mt. Brave 2018? Grilled lamb chops with rosemary complement the wine's herbal undertones. Braised beef short ribs mirror its dark fruit density. Aged Gouda or Comté highlight the mineral and mocha finish. Wild mushroom risotto echoes the earthy, savory mid-palate. Dark chocolate truffles (70% cacao or higher) align naturally with the bittersweet chocolate notes in the wine.

What sizes does Mt. Brave 2018 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; availability of other formats such as magnums may vary by vintage.

Is Mt. Brave 2018 worth the price? Mt. Brave positions as a premium Napa Valley mountain Cabernet, and the 2018 vintage's 97-point Jeb Dunnuck score and 95+ Wine Advocate rating place it in strong company against wines at significantly higher price points. For collectors seeking critically acclaimed Mt. Veeder Cabernet, it represents compelling value within its tier.

Why Mt. Brave 2018?

A 97-point score from Jeb Dunnuck is not easily earned, and it signals that the 2018 vintage is a benchmark release for this estate. The high-altitude vineyard — above the fog, on nutrient-poor gravelly loam — naturally limits yields and intensifies flavor in ways that valley-floor sites rarely replicate. Chris Carpenter's winemaking brings discipline to that raw material: a precise Bordeaux-style blend, patient barrel aging, and careful extraction that preserves the aromatic finesse beneath the wine's considerable weight. For anyone building a cellar around age-worthy Napa Cabernet, the 2018 Mt. Brave belongs on the short list.