First off, on behalf of Imbibe Wine and all wineries in attendance, we would like to thank everybody that attended last night's Mt. Veeder Winemaker Dinner. All of you being there made the evening more than enjoyable.  We had a great showing of wine lovers and all four winery owners were very impressed by the warm welcome they received.  Also, a special thanks goes out to the Bakersfield Country Club for hosting the event and providing us with such a decadent meal.  For those who were unable to attend, we have some consolation for you.  The entire lineup of wines we enjoyed at the dinner are all available at Imbibe!

  The evening started off with the 2009 Yates Vineyards Viognier ($24.99).  This is one of the most delicate and balanced Viogniers coming out of Napa Valley.  The nose is rich and floral with notes of honeysuckle and fruit cocktails, and the mouth feel is slightly creamy with a subtly crisp acidity.  Next up, the 2009 Fontanella Chardonnay ($21.99) showed very nicely.  A delightfully sweet, pear nose gives way to rich tropical fruits and hints of ginger snap.  The first of the reds was Yates Vineyards Cheval Cabernet Franc ($45); rich, dark chocolate and espresso, clove and graphite.  All three wines were perfectly paired and showed beautifully.

  The three wines to follow were all Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2007 Fontanella ($49.99), the 2007 Robert Craig ($79.99) and the 2007 O'Shaughnessy ($95).  Ladies and gentlemen, these were the stars of the evening.  All showed perfectly, with rich concentration, deep, earthy highlights and an unsurpassed balance of fruit and structure.  All three perfectly illustrated the unique minerality that is the Mt. Veeder appellation while still keeping their own identities.  Where the Fontanella placed an emphasis on the full, complex fruit of Mt. Veeder, the Robert Craig Cab focused equally on supple fruit and graphite soils, and the O'Shaughnessy Cab held most closely to the characteristics of the terroir.  The order in which the wines were presented elegantly displayed the progression of what amazing wine can come from the Mt. Veeder appellation.  

  To finish off the evening, we were presented with a very rare treat.  The final wine of the evening was generally reserved for wine club members, the 2006 O'Shaughnessy Syrah ($55).  This wine offered up a beautiful bouquet of mixed berries and spice, and an equally lovely, lush palate of boysenberry, butterscotch and smokey toast.