In 1998, Brandlin Estate was acquired by the Schmidheiny family, who like the Brandlins, hail from Switzerland and are a multigenerational family of winegrowers and vintners. Steve Rogstad, Vice President of Winemaking, has spent most of his professional life making wine in the Los Carneros appellation. Since 2002, Steve has guided the winemaking at Cuvaison, crafting wines that have earned accolades for their seamless balance, depth that is vineyard-inspired and complexity.

The Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder is another wonderful example from this great vintage. The growing season for 2018 was long, slightly cool, without heat spikes and late rains, which gave ample hang time for the fruit to mature without losing its structure and character. The 2018 Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon possesses the true character of Mount Veeder, a balance of complex aromatics that are sophisticated with fruit intensity. The color is almost opaque in the glass with purity and viscosity. Out of glass the wine expresses notes of cassis, black cherry, and mocha which come to the forefront with hints of violets, mint, and black tea. On the palate the tannins show a silkiness with the perfect amount of acidity that carries through to a long generous finish that lasts for minutes. I tasted the wine the next day with similar results, revealing more balance. I have long been a fan of Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder, which produce wines of structure and balance. The 2018 Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon delivers and is built to age gracefully. But it is tasting so good now it will be hard to hold back!
By Perry Miroballi