Burgundy and Champagne
Timed Online Auction, 28 August - 9 September 2024
Additional Finds
About the SessionAdditional finds, featuring wines from a Private Seller. The selection is an eclectic offering from California. Highlights include Opus One, Harlan Estate, Ridge Monte Bello and Pride Mountain Vineyards. We have curated a few mixed Chardonnay parcels from Steele Wines offering further variety and very good value.
About this Item
The Pride Mountain wine portfolio is produced from both Napa and Sonoma grapes, or a blend of both. Due to local labeling laws, Pride Mountain cannot put 'estate' on any of its labels – even when the fruit is entirely sourced from its own vineyards – as it falls across two AVAs. Instead, Pride Mountain labels its more premium wines with 'Vintner Select'. A large range of grape varieties are produced including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Chardonnay and Viognier.
Vineyards were first planted at the estate in 1869 when the property was known as Summit Ranch. The winery was constructed in 1890 and was burnt down during Prohibition in suspicious circumstances. It lay dormant until Pride Mountain Vineyards was established in 1990, with a new a winery completed in 1997. Pride Mountain's cave system cellar was finished in 2001 and houses 2400 oak barrels for aging.
The property covers 85 hectares, a majority of which are planted at high altitudes on Spring Mountain in the Mayacamas Range. This altitude provides ample rainfall in the vineyards requiring attentive canopy managment to ensure that vigor is kept under control.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'Sleek and elegant, the wine is blessed with fine tannins and supple texture, and its blackberry, plum, cassis, chocolate and herb flavors flood the palate in a rush that finishes long and luxuriously. Top-notch Merlot.' - Wine Enthusiast, 93/100 (Dec 2001)
'Impressive. Espresso-style, deeply concentrated Merlot, boasting a core of rich currant, coffee, black cherry and anise. Firms up on the finish, where a touch of bay leaf adds complexity to the flavor profile. Drink now through 2006.' - James Laube, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Sep 2000)
'Very deep ruby-blue. Highly aromatic nose of black cherry, black raspberry, espresso and Valrhona chocolate. Sweet, dense and highly concentrated but with lovely juicy acidity giving the primary black cherry flavor uncanny vibrancy. Impressively fat for the year. Very long, sappy, firmly tannic finish. Some of this juice will go into the Reserve Claret. A great showing in light of the vintage—in fact, this is more impressive today than the '97 merlot.' - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 91/100 (May 2000)
'The dark ruby/purple-colored 1998 Merlot (a blend of 64% Napa and 36% Sonoma fruit) exhibits copious quantities of toasty new oak in the bouquet in addition to deep, chewy, blackberry and cherry aromas. There is excellent richness, medium to full body, adequate acidity, and a forward appeal. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (Dec 2000)
View all Pride Mountain Vineyards lots for sale in this auction