Greetings, Operative!

Today is the first day of Summer. It is also the 65th birthday of our dear friend, winemaker and poet, Bill Hawley, who we affectionately call “Agent Hombre”. To celebrate, Bill has given us 65 cases of his incredible (really!) Random Ridge 2014 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon.

By everyone’s estimation, this wine is his best ever!

Ultra rich and densely concentrated on the nose, with aromas of blackberry compote, stewed blueberry, black cherry preserve, black licorice, darkly toasted oak, spice box, cigar box, chocolate covered cherry and molasses.

Dense and concentrated on the palate, as well, with rich flavors of blueberry jam, blackberry preserve, black cherry, cherry bark, black licorice, cassis, toasty oak, grilled plum, molasses, golden raisin, caramelized sugar, toasty oak and sweet spice.

Mt. Veeder, located on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas range, has a climate that is cooler than the valley floor below. This climate and the more difficult (less fertile) volcanic mountain soil influence the flavors of the wines from this region. Best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, the region also produces Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. The premium vineyards of the Mt. Veeder appellation produce grapes of exceptional character, density and intensity.

Again, today’s wine is the best, most richly layered, most delectable wine that we have ever featured from Random Ridge and, as you know, we’ve featured more than 20 of Bill’s wines over these last ten years.

Enjoy, and please join us on Facebook in wishing Bill a very Happy Birthday today!