The ‘14 Merlot Mt. Veeder.

A mountain-grown Mt. Veeder Merlot with dark chocolate, boysenberry, mineral grip, and a long, steady finish.

Drinking window

No Cellared drinking-window estimate is available for this wine.

Tasting note

The exact 2014 tasting note describes an opaque, very dark ruby wine with a port-like bouquet and hints of black cherry cola. On the palate it is full-bodied, balanced, and rich, with blackberry and mineral flavors, oak, and a touch of black licorice toward the end. Moderate tannins stay with the finish, which is dry and persistent. The producer note adds dark chocolate and boysenberry, with great acidity and structure lifting the wine across the palate. Taken together, the profile is powerful but not clumsy: mountain fruit brings concentration, while mineral detail, acidity, and tannin keep the texture defined. The finish is the signature, carrying dark fruit, oak, licorice, and savory mineral tones for a long time after the sip.

The 2014 vintage

The 2014 identity is confirmed by the exact Mt. Brave Merlot tasting sheet and review. The distributor sheet describes a warm April and May that advanced the growing season, heat spikes in June and July that were brief, and a warm beginning to October that helped later-ripening areas. It characterizes the conditions as good for ripening fruit without sunburn, shrivel, or early fall cold. The same sheet records dark chocolate and boysenberry flavors with strong acidity and structure. A separate 2014 review identifies 100% Merlot, Mt. Veeder as the region, 532 cases produced, and a 750 ml bottle. These facts support a concentrated mountain Merlot with freshness and a long finish.

About Mt. Brave

Mt. Brave Vineyard sits high on Mt. Veeder at roughly 1,400 to 1,800 feet in the northern part of the appellation. The technical sheet describes the site as a steep mountain environment with a long history of grape growing and conditions that require careful hand work. Mt. Veeder’s thin, rocky soils and elevation give the wines density, mineral grip, and a distinctive savory edge. The 2014 Merlot is listed as 100% Merlot, with 532 cases produced. Mt. Brave’s winemaking note focuses on dark chocolate, boysenberry, acidity, structure, and a long steady finish, a combination that shows how mountain Merlot can be both powerful and composed.

Pairing suggestions

Cellared suggestions based on the wine and dish descriptions.

Roasted rack of lamb with rosemary and garlic

Lamb has enough richness and savory depth for the wine’s full body and firm mountain tannin. Rosemary and garlic echo the wine’s mineral, licorice, and dark-spice tones, while the roast’s browned edges meet its dark chocolate and boysenberry character without overwhelming the finish.

Braised beef short ribs with root vegetables

Slow-cooked beef and root vegetables match the wine’s concentrated blackberry, dark chocolate, and mineral profile. The sauce softens the tannins, while the wine’s acidity keeps the pairing from feeling heavy. A restrained red-wine reduction reinforces the oak and savory finish without adding sweetness.

Seared venison loin with red berry sauce

Lean venison highlights the wine’s structure and mineral detail, while a restrained red berry sauce echoes the blackberry and boysenberry notes. The wine’s dry finish and moderate tannin keep the fruit sauce from becoming cloying, and the mountain acidity gives the pairing a clean, lifted close.

Service & cellaring

Serving Temp: serve at 60-65F (16-18C), then adjust after the first pour.
Decanting: begin with 45-60 minutes of air only if the bottle shows tight tannin or sediment; taste and adjust.
Cellar Storage: store around 55F (13C), dark and still, with stable humidity; keep the bottle on its side.

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Frequently Asked

What does the 2014 Mt. Veeder Merlot taste like?

The wine is described as very dark ruby and opaque, with a port-like bouquet and black cherry cola. The palate is full-bodied, balanced, and rich, showing blackberry, mineral, oak, and black licorice, with dark chocolate and boysenberry in the producer note. Great acidity and structure keep the fruit from feeling heavy, while moderate tannins stay present through a dry, long finish. It is a mountain Merlot built around depth, grip, and persistence.

When should I open the 2014?

A Cellared drinking-window estimate is unavailable.

How much was produced?

The exact 2014 review lists 532 cases of 750 ml bottles, making this a relatively small production mountain wine. The same review identifies the wine as 100% Merlot from Mt. Veeder and records a full-bodied style with blackberry, mineral, oak, black licorice, and moderate tannins. The small volume and site-specific identity help explain why the wine can show such concentrated fruit and strong structural character in the glass.

What food pairs well with Mt. Veeder Merlot?

Choose dishes with savory richness and enough texture to meet the wine’s dark fruit and tannin. Roast lamb with rosemary, braised beef short ribs, and seared venison with a restrained berry sauce are strong matches. Keep sauces savory rather than sugary, because excessive sweetness can make the wine feel harder. Serve around 60 to 65F and give the bottle a little air so the blackberry, mineral, chocolate, and licorice notes can unfold.